Turnaround Time or TAT is a performance indicator measuring the time it takes to respond to a request.
It is a major indicator in the evaluation of system planning and scheduling algorithms.
TAT and Production
TAT is frequently associated with Lead Time but differs from it in that the Lead measures the time between receipt of an order and final delivery, while the TAT measures the time spent between production of the product and final delivery.
The gap between TAT and Lead Time varies according to the production strategy adopted by the company and defines its response capacity to demand.
TAT and Maintenance
Turnaround Time is also a key indicator for the maintenance response planning system. In this context, TAT measures the downtime of equipment or its repair time. It is particularly important in Maintenance Repair and Overhaul (MRO).
