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What Is Takt Time?
Takt time is the maximum amount of time you can spend producing one unit in order to meet customer demand. It’s calculated by dividing the total available production time by the number of units customers need within that time frame.
For example, if a factory runs for 480 minutes a day and the daily demand is 240 units, the takt time is 2 minutes per unit. In another case, if customers expect 2 products every month, the takt time would be around 2 weeks per product.
Takt time helps manufacturers align production speed with actual demand, avoid overproduction, and improve workflow efficiency.
What Is the Main Goal of Takt Time?
The main goal of takt time is to align production output with actual customer demand. By setting a consistent production pace, it helps eliminate waste, prevent overproduction, and reduce excess inventory. This ensures that only what’s needed is produced—saving time, lowering storage costs, and improving overall efficiency in the workflow.
Can You Reduce Takt Time?
Yes, takt time can be reduced by removing non-value-added steps from the production process. Streamlining workflows and improving efficiency at each stage lowers the cycle time per unit, which directly shortens the takt time over a given period—whether daily, weekly, or monthly. This helps teams respond faster to demand while minimizing delays and waste.
What’s the Difference Between Cycle Time and Takt Time?
Takt time is the target pace of production needed to meet customer demand. It’s calculated by dividing available work time by the number of units customers need. Cycle time, on the other hand, is the actual time it takes to complete one product from start to finish—including material handling, processing, and finishing steps. While takt time sets the pace, cycle time measures real performance on the shop floor.