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First Time Right: What It Means, and How It Differs from First Time Fix Rate
First time right, or FTR, is making a product correctly the first time, with no rework, scrap or do-overs. It’s a quality mindset and a metric. It’s easy to confuse with first time fix rate, but that’s a field-service measure of repairs done in one visit. FTR is about production; FTFR is about service.
Why does first time right matter?
Rework is the most expensive way to reach good quality:
- Every rework loop costs time, material and capacity you don’t get back.
- Scrap is pure loss, and it often hides the real process problem.
- A high FTR usually means a stable, capable process, not lucky operators.
- It shows up directly in cost, lead time and on-time delivery.
How does first time right differ from first time fix rate?
Production versus service. First time right measures whether a part is made correctly the first time, driven by process capability, poka-yoke and quality control. First time fix rate measures whether a field-service job is resolved in one visit. Same instinct, do it right the first time, but one lives on the production line and the other in the field.
First time right vs first time fix rate at a glance
The same instinct, two different places
| Aspect | First Time Right | First Time Fix Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Where | Production | Field service |
| Measures | Made right first time | Fixed in one visit |
| Enemy | Rework and scrap | Repeat visits |
| Driven by | Process capability | Parts, info, skills on site |
Related Terms
- DPMO – the defect rate FTR drives down.
- Time to Market
Further Reading
- First Time Right in Project Management: Strategies for Success
- QMS-Software – digital quality management
