The actual elapsed time on progressing an item - It is measured from the start of the first task to the end of the last task. Cycle Time consists of Value-Add Time and Non-Value Add time

Depending on the work centre, the term "Item" refers to different entities.
- Accessioning: Cases
- Grossing: Specimens
- Embedding: Cassettes
- Sectioning: Slides
- Sign out: Slides

Machine effort hours look at the actual machine effort time in 5-minute blocks.

Machine Hours are full hours that a machine is being used. Every hour where a machine is utilised is counted as 1, even if it was only used for 5 minutes that hour.

Machine Utilisation is the proportion of machine work time in relation to the machine hours. It is calculated by the sum of the machine effort hours divided by machine hours.

When the process has no constraints and moves from one Work Centre to the next without batching.

SPC charts display changes over time. These charts are made up of a central line that represents the mean, an upper line for the upper process limit, and a lower line for the lower process limit and is determined from the historical data. By comparing the current data to these lines, you can see whether the process variation is consistent (in control) or unpredictable (out-of-control).

A process is deemed out of control if it achieves a statistical criterion such as falling out of the control limits, consecutive data points increasing or decreasing, or consecutive data points on one side of the central line.

User Hours are full hours that a specific user is present and working in a work centre. Every hour where an individual user was active would be counted as 1, even if they were only active on the work centre for 5 minutes that hour.

The proportion of work time in relation to the user hours. It is calculated by the sum of the work time divided by the user hours.

Value-added time is the time taken during any change in the product. Whenever there is no change in the product, it is considered under Non-Value added time.

The actual user effort time in 5-minute blocks.