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Automation, IT or Data: Where Is Your Real Bottleneck?

January 25, 2025Tai Van
DiagnosticAutomationITData

Automation, IT or Data: Where Is Your Real Bottleneck?

When systems slow down, when decisions take too long, when operations stall, the question arises: where is the real problem? Automation, IT, or Data?

The answer isn't always obvious. And often, the problem isn't where we think.

The Trap: Treating Symptoms, Not the Cause

Symptom: "Automation is Slow"

You observe that automated processes are slow. You conclude that the problem comes from automation. But is that really the case?

Possible causes:

  • Data needed for automation arrives too slowly (IT problem)
  • Data is incomplete or erroneous (Data problem)
  • Automation waits for manual decisions (process problem)

Result if you only treat automation: You optimize automation, but the problem persists because the real cause is elsewhere.

Symptom: "IT Systems Are Overloaded"

You observe that servers are overloaded, databases are slow. You conclude that the problem comes from IT. But is that really the case?

Possible causes:

  • Automation generates too much unnecessary data (Automation problem)
  • Data queries are poorly optimized (Data problem)
  • IT systems aren't sized for real load (IT problem)

Result if you only treat IT: You add capacity, but the problem persists because the real cause is elsewhere.

Symptom: "Data Is Not Exploitable"

You observe that data exists but isn't used for decision-making. You conclude that the problem comes from data. But is that really the case?

Possible causes:

  • IT systems don't allow easy access to data (IT problem)
  • Automation doesn't collect the right data (Automation problem)
  • Data exists but decision processes don't use it (process problem)

Result if you only treat data: You improve data quality, but the problem persists because the real cause is elsewhere.

How to Identify the Real Bottleneck: Diagnostic Method

Step 1: Map the Complete Flow

Don't just look at an isolated system. Look at the complete flow:

1. Data collection: Where does data come from? Automation, sensors, external systems? 2. Data processing: How is data processed? By which IT systems? 3. Decision: How is data used for decision-making? Automatically or manually? 4. Action: How are decisions executed? By automation, by teams, by IT systems?

Key question: Where does the flow really slow down? Where does data accumulate? Where are decisions blocked?

Step 2: Measure, Don't Assume

Don't assume where the problem is. Measure:

  • Collection time: How long does data collection take?
  • Processing time: How long does data processing take?
  • Decision time: How long does decision-making take?
  • Execution time: How long does decision execution take?

Key question: Where is the greatest delay? That's probably where the bottleneck is.

Step 3: Identify Dependencies

Systems are interdependent. Identify dependencies:

  • Does automation depend on IT data that arrives slowly?
  • Do IT systems depend on automation data that is incomplete?
  • Do decisions depend on data that isn't available at the right time?

Key question: Which dependency blocks the flow? That's probably where the bottleneck is.

Typical Cases: Where the Bottleneck Really Is

Case 1: The Bottleneck Is in IT, Not Automation

Observed symptom: Automated processes are slow.

Diagnosis: Automation works correctly, but it waits for data that arrives too slowly from IT systems. Database queries are poorly optimized, servers are overloaded.

Real bottleneck: IT (database performance, server load)

Solution: Optimize database queries, properly size servers, improve IT performance.

Case 2: The Bottleneck Is in Data, Not IT

Observed symptom: IT systems are overloaded.

Diagnosis: IT systems work correctly, but they process too much unnecessary data. Automation collects all data without filtering, IT systems store data that is never used.

Real bottleneck: Data (excessive collection, unnecessary data)

Solution: Filter data at source (automation), only collect useful data, clean existing data.

Case 3: The Bottleneck Is in Automation, Not Data

Observed symptom: Data is not exploitable.

Diagnosis: Data exists and is accessible, but automation doesn't collect the right data. Sensors aren't in the right place, collected data doesn't match decision needs.

Real bottleneck: Automation (poor data collection)

Solution: Reposition sensors, modify automation to collect the right data, align collection with decision needs.

Case 4: The Bottleneck Is in All Three, But at Different Levels

Observed symptom: Everything is slow.

Diagnosis: The problem isn't in a single system, but in integration between the three. Automation collects data, but it isn't structured for IT. IT processes data, but it isn't formatted for decision. Decisions are made, but they aren't executed by automation.

Real bottleneck: Integration between Automation, IT and Data

Solution: Rethink integration between the three systems, define clear interfaces, align data formats.

How a Senior Consultant Can Help

Objective Diagnosis

An external consultant brings a fresh and objective perspective. They have no interest in blaming one system over another. They measure, analyze, and identify the real bottleneck.

System Vision

A senior consultant understands all three worlds: automation, IT, data. They can map the complete flow, identify dependencies, and locate the real bottleneck.

Pragmatic Solutions

Once the bottleneck is identified, a senior consultant can propose pragmatic solutions: optimize IT if that's the problem, improve data collection if that's the problem, or rethink integration if that's the problem.

Conclusion: Diagnose Before Acting

Identifying the real bottleneck isn't obvious. Symptoms can be misleading. The problem can be in automation, in IT, in data, or in integration between the three.

The method: map the complete flow, measure delays, identify dependencies. Don't assume, measure. Don't treat symptoms, identify the cause.

A senior consultant can help with this diagnosis. They bring an objective perspective, understanding of all three worlds, and pragmatic solutions once the bottleneck is identified.

At Vanguard Systems, we regularly intervene to diagnose bottlenecks in automation, IT and data systems. We map the complete flow, measure delays, identify dependencies, and propose pragmatic solutions.

[Learn more about our diagnostic approach →](/expertise)