What does throughput refer to in a process?

Throughput refers specifically to the actual volume of a process or step within a given timeframe. It quantifies how much work is completed or how many units are produced in a defined period. This measurement is essential for understanding productivity, efficiency, and capacity within a process. High throughput indicates that a process is functioning effectively and is able to handle a significant amount of work.

In the context of Lean IT, focusing on throughput helps organizations identify bottlenecks and areas for improvement, ensuring that resources are utilized optimally to deliver value more quickly. Unlike other concepts, such as resource usage, time taken for completion, or pending tasks, throughput directly measures the output generated by a process. This makes it a crucial metric for evaluating process performance and implementing Lean principles effectively.