Lead Time Is a Capacity Problem, Not a Speed Problem

When a shop quotes four weeks, ask whether that is the run time or the date your job actually reaches the machine.

Queue Time Is Most of the Number

Actual cutting is often a small fraction of a quoted lead time. The rest is waiting for a machine, a fixture, a material delivery or an inspection window.

Ask For the Start Date

A promised ship date without a promised start date is an estimate. The start date is the commitment that can be verified in week one instead of week four.

• What date does material arrive
• What date does it hit the first operation
• What is between it and that machine right now
• Which step has the least slack

Release Early, Even Partially

Releasing long lead material ahead of final approval buys weeks and costs a fraction of expediting the same material later.