How is schedule adherence defined?

Schedule adherence is defined as the degree to which processes follow the planned schedule. This measure is critical in manufacturing as it indicates how well a production operation is executing its plans against the timeline set forth. High schedule adherence reflects an efficient use of resources and effective management of time, which can lead to increased throughput and customer satisfaction.

The concept encompasses tracking and measuring actual production activities against the scheduled times for various tasks, ensuring that the operations are aligned with the production plan. Variances from the schedule can signify potential issues in the workflow, resource allocation, or unforeseen delays, and they can negatively impact overall operational efficiency and delivery commitments.

In contrast, the other options—trends in manufacturing output, labor cost measurement, and total production capacity—do not directly pertain to the schedule adherence concept. Understanding schedule adherence is vital for continuous improvement in manufacturing processes.