Which of the following optimizes the efficiency of a process?

The option that optimizes the efficiency of a process is streamlining throughput. This approach focuses on improving how work flows through a system, leading to a more efficient process that minimizes delays and bottlenecks. By streamlining the steps involved in a process, organizations can enhance productivity, ensure smoother operations, and better meet customer demands.

This concept is central to Lean principles, which emphasize reducing waste and maximizing value. Streamlining throughput means identifying and removing unnecessary steps or barriers that slow down the process, leading to quicker completion times and improved overall efficiency.

In contrast, the other options reflect issues that typically hinder efficiency. Over-processing involves adding unnecessary steps or features that do not add value to the customer. Excessive motion refers to unnecessary movements that do not contribute to the work being done, causing wasted time and effort. Increased defects represent flaws in products or services that require rework or correction, which can slow down operations and lead to inefficiencies. Therefore, streamlining throughput stands out as a crucial method for enhancing the efficiency of a process.