Definition
Time required for operator to complete a cycle of operations.
In detail
Operator Cycle Time (OCT) is the time required for one operator to complete one full cycle following standard work sequence, including walking back to the start point. It is used to measure human workload and is distinguished from Machine Cycle Time (MCT) and Process Cycle Time (PCT): OCT focuses on human actions, MCT on automatic machine operation, and PCT is the sum of OCT and MCT. In the lean system, OCT is compared with Takt Time to assess line balance and staffing adequacy, and serves as baseline data for standard work design. It is typically recorded on time observation sheets and used to create standard work combination tables and operator load charts.
Example in practice
On a certain assembly line, the takt time was 60 seconds, but one operator needed 75 seconds to complete all steps, making that station a bottleneck. Using a time observation sheet to measure OCT, it was found that walking distance was too long and some motions were redundant. The station was then rearranged, reducing walking time from 15 seconds to 5 seconds, lowering OCT to 65 seconds. By further balancing other stations, the entire line's OCT was brought close to takt time, eliminating waiting waste.