--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make…" description: "\"“If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? 100 minutes OR 5 minutes”\" — Daniel Kahneman" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/daniel-kahneman-431_computers_if-it-takes-5-machines-5-minutes-to-make_1207459.jpg" --- # If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how… ![“If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? 100 minutes OR 5 minutes” quote by Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/daniel-kahneman-431_computers_if-it-takes-5-machines-5-minutes-to-make_1207459.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/daniel-kahneman-431_computers_if-it-takes-5-machines-5-minutes-to-make_1207459.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/9cb/daniel-kahneman-431_computers_if-it-takes-5-machines-5-minutes-to-make_1207459.jpg) > ““If it takes 5 machines 5 minutes to make 5 widgets, how long would it take 100 machines to make 100 widgets? 100 minutes OR 5 minutes”” [Daniel Kahneman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-kahneman/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Understanding scaling of work: more machines don’t always speed up production proportionally. **In simple terms:** More machines don’t always mean faster output. Key Takeaway Consider bottlenecks before adding resources. Themes efficiency productivity scaling Mood analytical curious Type educational thought‑provoking When to use this quote - manufacturing - software deployment - project staffing - logistics planning Key Concepts queueing theory law of diminishing returns Questions to Reflect On - What process step limits speed? - How do you identify true bottlenecks? A Different Perspective Assumes identical independent tasks, ignoring setup time. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [100 Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/100-minutes-3645785/) [100 Widgets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/100-widgets-3645787/) [Computers](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/computers/) [Machines Minutes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/machines-minutes-3645783/) [Make Widgets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/make-widgets-3645786/) [Widgets 100](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/widgets-100-3645784/) ## Related quotes > [When we were trying to get the money together for the film, one reason that was consistently given for not investing in it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-beresford/when-we-were-trying-to-get-the-money-together-for-the-film-one-reason/) [Bruce Beresford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-beresford/) > [When we were trying to get the money for Driving Miss Daisy, everyone kept saying no one could direct it well enough to entertain…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-beresford/when-we-were-trying-to-get-the-money-for-driving-miss-daisy-everyone/) [Bruce Beresford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-beresford/) > [You really have to keep people interested, at all times, until the punch comes. 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