<< [[flow metrics]] [[Agile Development]]
related: [[WIP]]
aliases:: lead time
similar/same as lead time
## definition
cycle time = **work time + wait time**
**total elapsed time** for a work item to travel from one point of your workflow (a start point) to another point (the finish point).
### calculation
cycle time = **(Finish Date – Start Date) + 1**
(+1 because both start and finish date are included)
### characteristics
cycle time is a lagging metric because it can't be calculated until the item is at the finish point
there is no standard, the pattern/breakdown of cycle time is different for everyone
you have to decide whether to count weekends or not
## visuals
![[work wait.jpg]]
![[wait work kanban.jpg]]
[[kanban boards|kanban board]] tracking items that are in wait or work mode
i don't know what all is going on in this board
![[cycle time breakdown.jpg]]
![[cycle-time-breakdown-chart.jpg]]