Cycle Time Histogram
Analyze your cycle time distribution. Monitor your delivery performance. Forecast task delivery times.
Analyze your cycle time distribution. Monitor your delivery performance. Forecast task delivery times.
The Cycle Time Histogram shows the frequency distribution of the completion times of the tasks in your workflow. The vertical axis displays a frequency and the horizontal axis shows your cycle times. By analyzing the frequency distribution of your cycle times, you’ll be able to determine whether there is too much variability in your process.
A Cycle Time Histogram with a big hump on the left and a very long tail to the right indicates that your cycle time varies significantly. This means that your process is inconsistent. To work towards more predictable delivery times, consider establishing a WIP-limited pull system.
The Cycle Time Histogram uses past cycle time data to forecast likely delivery times. Percentile lines show the probability of tasks being completed within certain cycle time. Higher percentile lines indicate a higher likelihood of delivering your work on time.
Use the percentile lines to define your service level agreements. Discuss the different levels of confidence with your clients and stakeholders, then base your SLAs off their optimum comfort level. We recommend using the 85th percentile line to start off with.
Average cycle time is a measure of performance. In the Cycle Time Histogram, we show your mean, median and mode average cycle times and how their trends build over time. Ideally, the lines should stay close to each other, and either remain at an even rate or go down.
Choose your average and watch its line profile! If the line goes up, this means that your team needs more time, on average, to complete their tasks. In this case, you might need to reevaluate your WIP limits or alter your process policies in order to establish a faster delivery workflow.