Takt Time: Your Customer's Production Rhythm

Takt time is the production rhythm required to meet customer demand—a metronome for your workflow. It's the maximum time allowed per unit to keep up. For example, if customers demand 100 units in an 8-hour day, your takt time is 4.8 minutes. This target is used to design manufacturing lines and software sprints. The footgun is confusing it with cycle time; takt is the *required* pace set by demand, while cycle time is your *actual* production speed. If cycle time exceeds takt time, you'll fall behind.