Lead Time Metrics: Why Weekends Matter

Excluding non-working time from time metrics is a common issue in organizations, especially when it comes to lead time. However, there are three main reasons why this practice can get you into trouble. Firstly, time metrics are based on assumptions, which can lead to disagreements and debates about what should be included or excluded. Secondly, exclusions may lead to inaccurate and deceptive data, as people may game the system to meet targets. Lastly, customers care about duration, not lead time, which can lead to unhappy clients if expectations are not met. To improve the reliability of time metrics, organizations should use clear assumptions and focus on continuous improvement rather than shallow targets.