This blog will tell you everything you need to know about the Lean tool ‘basic time-related definitions’!
When talking about basic time-related definitions, remember that Lean is all about velocity. It addresses how one can turn around produce on time, every time, and in the right quality. Speed is the essence of Lean thinking. Consider a manufacturing scenario in the picture shown below. What do you see?
Figure 1 – Various time elements in a process (example 1)
- Customer order
- Wait before production starts. This is not an unusual sight!
- Step 1: This is where production starts.
- Store (Inventory)
- Move (transport)
- Queue time (waiting)
- Step 2: This is where production continues.
- Store (inventory)
The steps proceed in this manner until the finished product is finally shipped to the customer.
Basic Time-Related Definitions
Therefore, the following basic time-related definitions can be deciphered:
Manufacturing cycle time: It is the sum of Process time, Inspection time, Move time, and Queue time.
Delivery cycle time: To Manufacturing cycle time, add Wait time before production starts. This is from the point of the customer’s order to the time of shipping to the customer.
Lean questions regarding basic time-related definitions:
- Firstly, why does a customer order wait before it is taken up for production?
- Secondly, what causes the material to wait?
- Thirdly, why is the material produced and then placed in a queue?
- Fourthly, what is the reason for material not being produced the right way the first time?
- Lastly, why should we inspect them?
The best answer to all these questions regarding basic time-related definitions is ‘this is the way we work’. There is nothing wrong with it. You may still ship products on time to customers. However, imagine what it would be like if these time elements are removed? Order to delivery time would be at lightning speed!
Applying basic time-related definitions in a service company:
There are some common misconceptions about basic time-related definitions. Above all, people often falsely believe that those who work in the service industry are different. Here’s an example from the service sector:
Figure 2 – Various time elements in a process (example 2)
Check out another service example below:
Figure 3 – Various time elements in a process (example 3)