In the realm of manufacturing, the real bottleneck isn't about speed but rather about waiting.
The Reality of Lead Time
Contrary to common belief, the majority of manufacturing lead time is not consumed by actual processing but by idle waiting periods. Take, for instance, our examination of a fabrication line where the total lead time amounted to 9 days. Surprisingly, the tangible touch time was a mere 4.5 hours, indicating a staggering 95% inefficiency.
🔍 Identifying the Hidden Culprits of Lead Time
- Delays in approvals
- Interdepartmental queues
- Inadequate kits or tooling
- Unproductive downtime without feedback mechanisms
✅ Introducing the 3 Clocks Framework
- Work Time: Adding tangible value
- Wait Time: Accumulating inventory, people, and decisions
- Clock Time: Irrelevant to customers, who are indifferent to your shift changes
🧠 Implementing Solutions
- Streamline queues
- Minimize handovers
- Delegate decision-making authority to frontline workers
Achieving greater efficiency is not merely a matter of accelerating processes but rather of eradicating unnecessary waiting periods. Remember, true speed emerges from the elimination of idle time.
Contact us to eliminate waiting time and improve your lead times.
