What does "Throughput" measure in a production system, and why is it important?

a$)$ Throughput measures the total cost of production. It is important for financial budgeting and cost control.

b$)$ Throughput measures the rate at which products are produced and processed through a system. It is important for assessing production efficiency and capacity utilization.

c$)$ Throughput measures employee productivity levels. It is important for workforce management and training needs.

d$)$ Throughput measures the accuracy of demand forecasts. It is important for aligning production with market needs.