Takt Time Vs Cycle Time

Takt Time Vs Cycle Time

Project managers aim to optimize workflow, resources, and project completion time when creating project plans. Comparing and contrasting TAKT Time, Cycle Time, and Lead Time are critical Lean procedures for candidates in project management and Six Sigma.

What is Takt Time

Takt time is the rate at which a product needs to be produced to satisfy customer demand.

Takt time is unrelated to worker productivity or equipment operating speed based on client demand. It’s the harsh truth that manufacturing must move quickly to meet deadlines. The number of units in an order divided by the total number of feasible manufacturing hours is known as the takt time.

The Advantages of Takt Time

Takt Time integration is advantageous for your company for several reasons:

i. Finding Bottlenecks

When a company prioritizes Takt Time, it is easier to identify the processes that might be slowing down the production line, which makes it easier to find bottlenecks.

ii. Underperforming Employees

Employees who are not performing up to par. Keeping an eye on Takt Time makes it easier to identify underperforming personnel.

iii. Waste Elimination

By emphasizing Takt Time, work that adds value is highlighted, and waste is reduced.

iv. Establishes Routine

Takt Time awareness establishes a manufacturing line’s routine, allowing for speedier operations and increased output production.

How Takt Time Is Calculated

You will divide the available manufacturing time by the client demand to get the Takt Time. The time available to manufacture a product is known as available production time. This does not include time spent on maintenance, transitions, or breaks.

Tt = Pw / Ur

Where:

Tt = Takt time

Pw = Workable production hours

Ur =required units 

The Takt Time is 3 minutes; for instance, if employees are available for 7.5 hours or 450 minutes of an 8-hour shift, and a client needs 150 units finished in a single day.

Takt Time = 450 minutes/ 150 units 

= 3 minutes per unit

What is Cycle Time

A single task’s work time required to finish it is known as cycle time. Cycle time is sometimes utilized when describing how long a piece of equipment might take to complete a movement or process. It’s critical to comprehend the context in which someone uses the word “cycle.” A workpiece’s time to enter and exit a workstation is called its process time. Cycle time often describes the amount of time needed to complete a unit of work. 

Cycle Time's Advantages

i. Profitability Gains

You can reduce expenses and boost profitability by making the most of cycle time. You can identify areas for savings by knowing precisely how time is spent.

ii. Consistent Production

You may achieve more efficient and consistent output when you clearly grasp your processes and pay close attention to details like Cycle Time.

iii. Realistic Timeframes

By comprehending Cycle Time, you may better prepare staff by providing them with more realistic timelines, preventing disappointment and raising customer happiness.

iv. Resolving inefficiencies

The information gathered from evaluating Cycle Time enables you to identify and resolve any possible inefficiencies.

V. Improved Project Scoping

You can’t appropriately scope work for your clients if you don’t know how long your team will take to finish a task.

vi. Beat the Competition

You may give your business a competitive edge by using the data from your cycle time to make improvements that will keep you ahead of the curve and allow for the quickest production time.

How Cycle Time Is Calculated

You will divide net production time (NPT) by the quantity of units produced to get Cycle Time. The production time after any interruptions or downtime are subtracted is known as net production time.

Ct = Pt / Pu

Where:

Ct = Cycle time

Pt = Net production time

Pu = Units produced in net production time

For instance, the cycle time per unit is 4 minutes if 20 units are produced in 80 minutes.

Difference Between Takt and Cycle Times

Takt time is the amount of time a product must be produced to meet demand, whereas cycle time is the actual amount of effort required to produce a given good. Although there is little doubt that these two terms are related, they can also ultimately be out of sync. For instance, to be ahead of backorders,

you may have a Takt Time of two days but a Cycle Time of three days to finish the work. Your Cycle Time should match or even slightly exceed your Takt Time to provide your customers with the finest service possible.

Who Would Use Cycle Time vs. Takt Time

The same organizations would undoubtedly utilize Takt Time and Cycle Time. Understanding the customer’s requirements and the time required to complete the work is equally crucial. It’s critical to examine the manufacturing processes to determine whether any improvements can be made to meet the demand if Cycle Time surpasses Takt Time.

To complete the order in the time required to be practical, it’s also critical to be honest with the customer if the Takt Time is too different from the Cycle Time. It might be possible for your staff to operate more leisurely or to squeeze in additional orders if the Takt Time is significantly longer than the Cycle Time.

Examples of Selecting Between Takt Time and Cycle Time

It is crucial to assess the discrepancy between the Takt Time required by a customer for an order and the Cycle Time if you are a manufacturer. For instance, when an order is placed, and the Takt Time per unit comes to 2.75 seconds, and the Cycle Time is marginally longer per unit, you will probably still wish to complete the order. It might not even be necessary to make significant changes if the difference is tiny.

For example, if the order is for 200 units and the cycle time per unit is 3 seconds, the one-quarter of a second difference might not be very significant. On the other hand, if there is a large discrepancy between the Takt Time and the Cycle Time, you might have to reject the order entirely or modify your processes.

Bottom Line

Doing business well requires a thorough awareness of Takt Time and Cycle Time. Having these two periods in harmony makes satisfied clients more inclined to return. If the Takt Time and Cycle Time do not match, you must examine your processes to identify areas where the Cycle Time can be improved. If, however, the Takt Time is just not practical compared to the actual time required to create each unit, you will have to decline the orders.

FaQ's-Takt Time Vs Cycle Time

Cycle Time examines the internal efficiency of the production process, whereas Takt Time concentrates on matching production with customer demand.

A strategic approach is necessary to overcome obstacles, including precise demand forecasting and effective process design.

Both concepts are practical in different industries; the industrial sector frequently emphasizes Cycle Time, while the service sector uses Takt Time in various applications.

Indeed, the concepts are flexible, and the service sectors increasingly realize how important they are for streamlining operations.

Cultivating a culture of continuous improvement and disseminating knowledge on the importance of Takt and Cycle Time in operational excellence necessitate employee training.

Businesses should periodically review their plans, particularly in light of shifting consumer demands, manufacturing procedures, or market conditions.