Takt Time - Understanding the Core Principle of Lean Manufacturing (Toyota Production System Concepts, #11)

by Mohammed Hamed Ahmed Soliman

Overview

Takt, a German word meaning "rhythm" or "beat", is the foundation of lean manufacturing and production planning. Takt time is the calculated pace at which a product must be produced to meet customer demand. It ensures that production flow, supply, and demand are perfectly aligned, eliminating overproduction, reducing waste, and supporting Just-in-Time (JIT) manufacturing.

In simple terms, takt time = available production time ÷ customer orders. This number tells manufacturers exactly how long they have to produce each item in order to meet demand efficiently. The concept originated in the German aviation industry of the 1930s and was later adopted and perfected by Toyota in the 1950s and 1960s. Toyota suppliers also implemented takt time to synchronize the entire supply chain.

By using takt time, companies can optimize production scheduling, maintain steady workflow, and achieve operational excellence. Frequent evaluations—monthly for overall processes and every 10 days for adjustments—ensure that lean production systems remain efficient, balanced, and responsive.

Whether you are a lean practitioner, industrial engineer, operations manager, or production planner, mastering takt time is essential to streamline processes, improve efficiency, and build a high-performing manufacturing system.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940179065456
Publisher:	personal-lean.org
Publication date:	10/28/2023
Series:	Toyota Production System Concepts
Sold by:	Draft2Digital
Format:	eBook
File size:	571 KB

About the Author

Dr. Mohammed Hamed Ahmed Soliman is an internationally recognized Lean expert, author, and university lecturer. He has published over 100 books and articles on Lean thinking, quality systems, and industrial excellence. He currently teaches Industrial Engineering and Management Systems at the American University in Cairo, an Executive Advisor and a member of the Advisory Committee of the IEOM International Society, and consults for global organizations across manufacturing, public services, and education.

With nearly two decades of academic and professional experience, Dr. Soliman has trained professionals across the Middle East, including engagements with Princess Nourah University in Saudi Arabia and Vale Oman Pelletizing Company. He has designed and delivered over 60 leadership and technical development programs, helping organizations build a culture of continuous improvement and operational excellence.

Earlier in his career, he worked in various industrial sectors including crystal-glass manufacturing, fertilizers, and chemicals, while educating teams on the Toyota Production System. He has led numerous lean transformation projects, delivering measurable results and uncovering substantial cost savings by targeting waste across production and service environments.

His lectures and training materials have reached over 200,000 learners via SlideShare, and his research is ranked among the most downloaded papers on the Social Science Research Network (SSRN) by Elsevier.

Dr. Soliman holds a BSc in Engineering, a master's in Quality Management, and postgraduate degrees in Industrial Engineering and Engineering Management. He also holds certifications in quality, cost, and operations management. He is a member of the Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE) and the Society for Engineering and Management Systems (SEMS).

His insights have been featured in SAGE Publications, Industrial Management, Lean Thinking, and other peer-reviewed platforms.