Definitionv1
Subtractive optimization: the discipline of making a process
Subtractive optimization: the discipline of making a process better by removing parts of it rather than adding improvements, where the fastest step is the one that does not exist and the most reliable component is the one that was never built
Why This Is a Definition
This definition precisely captures the core concept introduced in the lesson - that subtractive optimization is not just about removing steps, but about the fundamental approach of eliminating unnecessary elements rather than improving existing ones. It establishes the genus (process improvement technique) and differentia (removing rather than adding) while distinguishing it from additive optimization and emphasizing key benefits like reliability and speed.