High-Tech Yuga

Metric Definition Focus Cycle Time The actual time it takes to complete one unit or one process step, from start to finish. Measures the efficiency of the production process itself. Time between start to finish. Lead Time The total time a customer waits from placing an order to receiving the finished product or service. Measures the customer's experience from a timing perspective; it includes processing and waiting/queue time. From Customer to Deliver to Customer Takt Time The rate of production required to meet customer demand (Available Production Time ÷ Customer Demand). Sets the necessary rhythm or pace for the process to match demand and avoid over- or under-production. 8 working hours = Every hour 1 product  Unit Time Often used synonymously with Cycle Time or Processing Time (the time a unit is actively being worked on). A simple measure of the time spent working on a single unit.  

Single Piece Flow (also known as One-Piece Flow or Continuous Flow ) is a key concept adopted from Lean Manufacturing and is highly valued within the Lean Six Sigma methodology. It represents a system where parts or products move through a production process one unit at a time, with no work-in-progress (WIP) inventory accumulating between steps, in contrast to traditional batch production . Core Concept and Relation to Six Sigma: Single Piece Flow is fundamentally about eliminating waste and  variability to achieve a smooth, continuous process, which directly supports the goals of Six Sigma: 4 Eliminating Waste (Lean): Single Piece Flow is a primary tool for eliminating several forms of waste, particularly: 5 Waiting: Products don't sit in queues waiting for a large batch to be completed. Inventory (Work-in-Progress): WIP is drastically reduced, lowering costs and freeing up space. 7 Transportation/Motion: A continuous flow layout (often U-shaped work cells) minimizes the ...