In lean manufacturing, the amount of work‑in‑process (WIP) that sits waiting at a workstation directly influences how long a part will wait before being processed. This waiting period is called queue time and is a key indicator of flow efficiency.
Queue time can be estimated using a simple relationship between the current WIP level and the station’s throughput. Throughput is the rate at which a station completes units, typically expressed in units per hour. By dividing the WIP by this rate, we obtain the average time a unit spends waiting in the queue.
Understanding and minimizing queue time helps reduce lead times, lower inventory costs, and improve overall system responsiveness. The formula below captures this relationship.
R = Throughput (units per hour)
T_{q} = Queue time (hours)
What is queue time in manufacturing?
How do I calculate queue time using WIP and throughput?
Why is queue time important in lean manufacturing?
What does WIP stand for in this context?
How can I reduce queue time in my manufacturing process?
What is throughput in lean manufacturing?
How does queue time affect production lead times?
Results are for informational purposes only and do not constitute professional advice.