How to Control Our Wastes: Key Performance Metrics

Metrics to Measure Wastes

Every workplace has waste lurking around — in delays, defects, unused inventory, and machines that aren't being used to their full potential. But what if we could track, measure, and cut down on this waste systematically? That's where Lean metrics come in. By honing in on key indicators like cycle time, throughput, defect rate, setup time, OEE, and inventory turnover, companies can uncover hidden inefficiencies and make real improvements for smoother operations, better quality, and smarter processes. In this post, we'll dive into how these metrics can help you turn data into action — and waste into opportunity.

How to Control Our Wastes: Key Performance Metrics

•Cycle Time

•Dive into the exciting world of cycle time, where we track the journey of a process or product from beginning to end!

•By measuring cycle time, organizations unlock thrilling opportunities to slash lead times and eliminate waiting, motion, and processing waste!

•Throughput

•Get ready to boost your production power with throughput, the dynamic count of products or services created within a set time frame!

•Measuring throughput empowers organizations to uncover amazing chances to cut down on overproduction and inventory waste!

•Defect Rate

•The defect rate is your key to quality, revealing the percentage of products or services that don't meet customer expectations.

•By measuring defect rates, organizations can seize opportunities to reduce defects and rework, slashing processing and inventory waste!

•Setup Time

•Explore the efficiency frontier with setup time, the countdown to get equipment, machines, or workstations ready for a new product or service.

•By measuring setup time, organizations reveal golden opportunities to cut changeover times, trimming waiting, processing, and motion waste!

•OEE

•Meet OEE, the ultimate metric for gauging the productivity of equipment and machines!

•OEE considers availability, performance, and quality, spotlighting opportunities to slash downtime, waiting, and motion waste!

•Inventory Turnover

•Embrace the rhythm of inventory turnover, measuring how often inventory is sold and replenished in a given timeframe!

•By measuring inventory turnover, organizations unveil opportunities to cut excess inventory and minimize inventory-related waste!

Managing waste isn't just about saving money — it’s about creating a smarter, more adaptable, and stronger organization. When you keep an eye on these important metrics, you give your team the tools to catch issues early, streamline processes, and deliver more value with less hassle. Keep in mind, real improvement doesn’t happen by chance — it’s all about measuring, focusing, and taking action. Start with small steps, stay consistent, and let your data guide you.