Systems › Business Pipeline · 3 of 4
Cycle Time
By RISE Business Framework · Created by Gary Harper and Brandon McCurdy · Reviewed
Cycle time is the time it takes to complete a task or process from start to finish, including waiting time and other delays. RISE layers it onto the SIPOC. For each of up to five cycles, record the average length, the longest and shortest in the last 90 days, and contributing factors.
How RISE does it
- Includes waiting time and other delays, not just hands-on work.
- Affects production yields, customer satisfaction and costs.
- Tracked for Cycle 1 through Cycle 5 under the SIPOC header.
- Contributing factors explain why cycles run long or short.
Cycle Time is one of four tools in Business Pipeline, part of the Systems quadrant of the RISE Business Framework.
The RISE tool
RISE Cycle Time worksheet
Complete one row for each cycle in your pipeline.
| Cycle | Average Length | Longest in the Last 90 Days | Shortest in the Last 90 Days | Contributing Factors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cycle 1 | ___ days | ___ days | ___ days | Up to four factors |
| Cycle 2 | ___ days | ___ days | ___ days | Up to four factors |
| Cycle 3 | ___ days | ___ days | ___ days | Up to four factors |
| Cycle 4 | ___ days | ___ days | ___ days | Up to four factors |
| Cycle 5 | ___ days | ___ days | ___ days | Up to four factors |
“Understanding cycle time is the key to maximizing efficiency.”Gary Harper
AI RISE Coach
Work through Cycle Time with the AI RISE Coach
“Walk me through Cycle Time in the RISE Business Framework and help me apply it to my business.”
Quick self-check
“We have a clear understanding of our business pipeline from customer acquisition to referral.”
Frequently asked questions
What is cycle time in business?
Cycle time is how long a task or process takes from start to finish. RISE includes waiting time and other delays in that number.
How do you reduce cycle time?
Measure each cycle first, then study the contributing factors behind the longest ones. Remove the waits and bottlenecks those factors reveal.
The other tools in Business Pipeline
- PipelineAn eight-stage wheel for speeding up the flow of work, from Baselining through Cross Train.
- SIPOCA one-page overview of a process: Suppliers, Inputs, Process, Outputs and Customers, with the process broken into five steps.
- Cash Conversion CycleHow long it takes to buy inventory, sell it and collect cash, tracked as a Key Profit Indicator in days.
Related in another quadrant: Finance
