Cycle Time Report
Analyze how long projects spend in each stage to identify bottlenecks and set realistic timelines.
Accessing the Report
Reports > General > Cycle Time
or
Reports > Production > Cycle Time (production stages only)
Key Metrics
| Metric | Description |
|---|---|
| Stage | Name of each stage |
| Avg Days | Average time spent in stage |
| Median Days | Middle value (less affected by outliers) |
| Min | Shortest time in stage |
| Max | Longest time in stage |
| Project Count | Number of projects analyzed |
Available Filters
| Filter | Description |
|---|---|
| Date Range | Projects completed in period |
| Stage Type | Sales, Design, or Production |
| Opportunity Type | Project category |
| Division | Business unit |
Understanding the Data
Average vs. Median
Average: Sum of all values ÷ count
- Affected by extreme values
- One long project can skew results
Median: Middle value when sorted
- More representative of "typical"
- Better for comparison
Example
Projects: 5, 7, 8, 10, 50 days
Average: 16 days
Median: 8 days
The median (8 days) better represents typical duration.
Stage Analysis
Sales Stages
Track time from lead to close:
- New Lead
- Qualified
- Appointment Set
- Proposal Sent
- Contract Negotiation
Design Stages
Track time in design process:
- Design Kickoff
- Concept Development
- Design Review
- Final Design
Production Stages
Track project execution:
- Pre-Production
- In Production
- Punch List
- Closeout
Identifying Bottlenecks
Signs of Bottleneck
- High average days at specific stage
- Wide gap between median and average
- Large Min/Max spread
- Increasing trend over time
Common Bottleneck Causes
Sales Stages:
- Slow proposal turnaround
- Decision-maker delays
- Incomplete information
Design Stages:
- Client indecision
- Revision cycles
- Permit delays
Production Stages:
- Material delays
- Permit holds
- Weather impacts
- Labor shortages
Using the Data
Set Expectations
Use historical data to:
- Quote realistic timelines to clients
- Set internal project deadlines
- Plan resource allocation
Improve Processes
Compare cycle times to:
- Identify improvement opportunities
- Measure impact of changes
- Set performance goals
Benchmark
Compare by:
- Project type
- Time period
- Team member (if available)
Export Options
Click Export CSV to download for:
- Process analysis
- Trend tracking
- Management reporting
Tips
- Compare similar project types only
- Look at median for typical experience
- Track over time to see improvements
- Consider external factors (permits, seasonality)
Example Analysis
| Stage | Avg | Median | Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Proposal | 12 days | 7 days | Some proposals taking too long - investigate outliers |
| Production | 45 days | 42 days | Consistent - meets expectations |
| Punch List | 21 days | 8 days | Wide variance - standardize process |
Related Reports
- Active Production Jobs - Current stage status
- Project Completion - Total project duration
- Conversion Funnel - Sales stage analysis