Cycle Time is the total time between the start and finish of one unit of production at a workstation, cell or complete process. It includes value-added time (the operation that transforms the material) and non-value time (waiting, transport, inspection). It is the most immediate operational metric for characterising the productivity of a workstation.
Cycle Time is confused with Lead Time and Takt Time, but they are three distinct concepts. Lead Time is the total time from the customer order to delivery (including queue waiting, transit, stock). Takt Time is the rate needed to meet demand (calculated, not measured). Cycle Time is the real observed time. A healthy operation has a Cycle Time slightly below Takt Time and a Lead Time as close as possible to Cycle Time (little waiting).
KORA Productivity measures Cycle Time automatically from the record of the start and finish of each unit/order. The variation between operators, shifts and products becomes visible, and provides material for training, line rebalancing, or the identification of poorly optimised setups.