Throughput is – 1) The volume of output generated by a resource in a specific period of time. 2) In the theory of constraints, the rate at which a system generates money. (Bridgefield Group ERP/Supply chain Glossary)
Other Definitions
Throughput – “Throughput is the rate at which the system generates money through sales.” (Chapter 8 The Goal)
Throughput – Focuses on what the overall outputs are of a system. It does not follow that local throughput of a certain workstation should be maximized. This depends upon the bottlenecks and determining constraints existing throughout the system. Overall throughput is limited (constrained) by these bottlenecks, and having other parts of the system produce at greater rates is counter-productive and even wasteful. (The Interdynamics Supply Chain Dynamics Glossary )