Takt time is the heartbeat of a lean manufacturing system. It is calculated by dividing the total available production time by the number of units the customer requires in that period. If the takt time is two minutes, a finished product must roll off the line every two minutes. Operating faster than takt time creates excess inventory, while operating slower results in missed orders.
The client increased their order volume, so we need to recalculate our takt time and probably add a shift.
Never confuse takt time with cycle time. Takt time is what the customer demands; cycle time is what your equipment actually does.
Do not mix it up with
- Makespan: Takt time is the required pace based on demand, while makespan is the total actual time it takes to complete a specific batch or job.
Related terms
Bottleneck
The slowest or most restrictive step in a production process that dictates the maximum overall output rate.
Makespan
The total duration required to complete a specific set of scheduled jobs.
JIT
Just-in-time, a production strategy that coordinates material delivery precisely with manufacturing schedules.