Key facts
- Takt time is calculated from demand: available time ÷ customer demand.
- Cycle time is measured at the process: the time from starting one unit to starting the next.
- Both are in seconds or minutes per unit, so they can be compared directly.
- Cycle time above takt means the process cannot keep up with demand.
- Cycle time well below takt means waiting or overproduction.
How do takt time and cycle time compare?
Takt time vs cycle time: takt is the pace demand requires, cycle time is the time actually spent on one unit.
| Takt time | Cycle time | |
|---|---|---|
| Question it answers | How fast must we go? | How fast do we go? |
| Source | Customer demand and available time | Timing the work at the gemba |
| Changes when | Demand or working time changes | The method, equipment or people change |
| Used to | Set pace, staffing and balance | Find where the process falls short |
A worked example
A packing line has 450 minutes available per shift and demand of 300 cases. Takt time is 450 ÷ 300 = 1.5 minutes, or 90 seconds. Timing the stations gives 60, 75 and 100 seconds. The last station is 10 seconds over takt, so it limits the line to about 270 cases a shift. That station is where the improvement work goes.
What should you do when cycle time is longer than takt time?
- Time the station several times and confirm the real cycle time.
- Remove waste from the cycle: walking, searching, rework.
- Rebalance work to neighbouring stations (line balancing).
- Add capacity only after that: a parallel station or an extra shift.
How do lead time and OEE fit in?
Lead time is cycle time plus all the waiting, from order to delivery. OEE uses an ideal cycle time to measure how much of the planned time a machine turns into good output. See takt time for the full formula and value stream mapping to show both on one page.