What is Cycle Time?
It is the duration it takes for an item to be completed in a given process.
Definition
Cycle time refers to the time it takes for an item to go through the production or development process from start to finish. That is, from when active work begins on the item until it is ready to be delivered.
Measurement
Cycle time is measured by recording the start and finish dates and times of each item as it progresses through the board.
Calculation
The Cycle Time formula is (Completion Date - Start Date) + 1, to account for items finished on the same day they started.
Improvement
Strategies to improve Cycle Time include limiting work in progress and addressing bottlenecks.
Average Cycle Time
Teams can use historical data to calculate the average cycle time of their process, aiding in future predictions.
Performance Analysis
Regularly analyzing Cycle Time data can help identify improvement areas and validate the effectiveness of changes.
Want to learn more?
If you'd like to go deeper into Cycle Time —or bring this kind of training to your team— let's talk. I help teams understand and apply these concepts. I'd love to hear from you!
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