Automation ROI and payback: a business case operations can verify
Separate installed cost, cash savings, released capacity and recurring expenses, then test a conservative scenario before approving automation.
Throughput
Good output crossing a defined process boundary per unit of time.
State the product, time period and good-unit boundary with a throughput number. Starts, completed cycles and shipped accepted units are different counts. A local machine speed increase may not increase line throughput if another resource remains the constraint. The capacity guide shows a serial-line example.
See also: Bottleneck · Cycle time
Use the concept: Downtime log template · SMED changeover observation template · Takt time calculator
In depth
Takt time vs cycle time vs lead time: calculate the right clock
A worked shift example separates customer pace, observed process speed and end-to-end delivery time, with practical checks before changing the line.
SMED changeover study: measure last good to first good
Use a time observation sheet to separate internal and external work, preserve safe setup steps, and verify a repeatable changeover improvement.