Calculate throughput time from processing, inspection, waiting, and moving times, or solve Little’s Law and process cycle efficiency inputs.

Use one process boundary and non-overlapping durations. A day means 24 elapsed hours.

Throughput Time Formula

The following formula is used to calculate throughput time. The other modes use average WIP = average throughput rate × average lead time (Little’s Law), and process cycle efficiency = value-added time / total lead time × 100%. Little’s Law needs consistent averages for the same stable system; value-added time must be part of the same positive lead time.

TPT = PT + IT + MT + WT
  • Where TPT is the throughput time (min)
  • PT is the processing time (min)
  • IT is the inspection time (min)
  • MT is the move time (min)
  • WT is the wait time (min)

To calculate a throughput time, sum the non-overlapping processing, inspection, move, and wait durations for the same process boundary. Select an explicit solve mode for a total or missing component. A day means 24 elapsed hours.

What is a throughput time?

A throughput time is a measure of the total time it takes to produce or manufacture a product from start to shipment. This includes waiting, moving, inspection, and processing times.

The processing time is the total time it takes for the machine or persons to create the product.

The inspection time is the total time it takes a person or machine to inspect the product.

Move time includes any time the product is in transit. Count actual movement within the chosen process boundary; do not count the same period again as waiting.

Wait time includes any time that the product is sitting waiting. This includes waiting to ship, waiting at stations, etc.

How to calculate throughput time?

The following example outlines the steps needed to calculate a throughput time.

First, determine the processing time. For this example, the total processing time is 15 minutes.

Next, determine the inspection time. In this case, the inspection takes 10 minutes.

Next, determine the total wait time. The wait time for this problem is 20 minutes total.

Next, determine the moving time. The product is in movement for 5 minutes total.

Finally, calculate the throughput time using the formula:

TPT = PT + IT + MT + WT

TPT = 15+ 10 + 20 +5

TPT = 50 minutes