Which measure helps assess the overall effectiveness of machine utilization?

Machine Time is the most effective measure for assessing the overall utilization of machinery within a production environment. This metric directly reflects the actual time that a machine is actively producing or engaged in operational activities, relative to the total available time. A higher percentage of machine time indicates efficient use of equipment, suggesting optimal operational performance and minimal downtime.

In contrast, changeover time refers to the duration required to switch from one production task to another. While it can influence overall efficiency, it does not provide a direct measure of how effectively the machines themselves are being used during their operational time.

Wait time measures the periods when machines are idle, waiting for materials or completion of previous tasks, which can signal inefficiencies but does not quantify the productive use of machines.

Lead time represents the total time taken from the start of the production process to the delivery of the product, encompassing several activities beyond just machine utilization, such as wait times and setup times. Thus, while important, it does not singularly focus on the effectiveness of machine operation.

Therefore, Machine Time stands out as the most relevant measure for evaluating machine utilization and effectiveness in a Lean IT context.