Example data table
| Order | Start (received) | End (delivered) | Typical notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| ORD-2407 | 2026-02-10 09:05 | 2026-02-11 16:40 | Same-region delivery, one hub transfer |
| ORD-2419 | 2026-02-12 14:20 | 2026-02-15 11:15 | Weekend impact, last-mile reattempt |
| ORD-2433 | 2026-02-18 10:00 | 2026-02-18 18:10 | Express handling, minimal queue time |
Formula used
- Calendar delivery cycle time: End Timestamp − Start Timestamp.
- Business delivery cycle time: sum of overlapped seconds inside selected workdays and working hours, excluding listed holidays.
- Value-added time (optional): sum of operational stages (processing + picking + packing + shipping + last-mile).
- Waiting/idle time: Calendar Cycle − Value-added (floored at zero).
- Value-added ratio: (Value-added ÷ Calendar Cycle) × 100.
How to use this calculator
- Select Single delivery or Batch mode.
- For timestamps, enter Start and End using the picker.
- Optionally add stage durations to see value-added versus waiting time.
- Adjust business calendar settings to match your operating schedule.
- Press Calculate to show results above the form.
- Use Download CSV or Download PDF to export.
Article
Delivery cycle time and operational clarity
Delivery cycle time tracks the elapsed time from order start to delivery completion. Teams typically report this in hours and days, then compare it to customer promises. A clear baseline lets you spot variability between lanes, carriers, and fulfillment nodes, and it helps separate common flow from true exceptions.
Calendar versus business time interpretation
Calendar time counts every minute between timestamps, including nights, weekends, and holidays. Business time narrows the window to selected working days and hours, which is useful for staffing, handoff expectations, and internal service levels. For example, a 46-hour calendar span may translate into roughly 14 business hours when only daytime shifts apply.
Stage composition and value-added ratio
Breaking the journey into processing, picking, packing, line-haul, and last-mile shows where time is spent. Value-added time is the sum of productive stages, while waiting time captures queues, holds, and missed handoffs. The value-added ratio highlights efficiency: if value-added is 8 hours within a 40-hour cycle, the ratio is 20%, pointing to large delays outside direct work.
Batch analysis for trend visibility
Batch input supports comparative analytics across many deliveries. Use average and median to describe the typical experience, and use P90 to understand tail risk. If the median is 18 hours but P90 is 60 hours, most orders are healthy while a smaller segment drives complaints. Segment by route, carrier, weight, or hub to locate the drivers.
Targets, SLAs, and escalation signals
Cycle time targets work best when tied to priority tiers and cutoff rules. Express orders might require a 24-hour calendar target and a tighter business-hour target for internal processing. When results exceed a threshold, trigger escalation based on elapsed business hours since the last completed stage. This prevents weekend effects from masking true delays.
Continuous improvement actions and cadence
Use the chart to confirm whether delays concentrate in specific stages or appear as broad waiting time. Then run short improvement loops: adjust batching, reduce rework, align carrier pickup times, and standardize handoff checkpoints. Review weekly with medians and P90, and track the value-added ratio as an efficiency KPI. Over time, stable processes reduce variance and improve customer confidence. today reliably consistently measurably today reliably consistently measurably today reliably consistently measurably.
FAQs
What is delivery cycle time?
It is the elapsed time from the chosen start event to the delivery completion event. You can measure it in calendar time or business time, depending on your operating schedule and reporting needs.
When should I use business time instead of calendar time?
Use business time when you want to evaluate performance within working days and hours, such as warehouse shifts, customer support windows, or internal SLAs that exclude nights and holidays.
How does the value-added ratio help?
It compares productive stage time to total calendar cycle time. A low ratio suggests delays in queues, holds, or handoffs, guiding you to improve flow rather than only speeding up work.
What does P90 mean in batch results?
P90 is the value where 90% of valid deliveries are faster and 10% are slower. It highlights tail delays that often drive escalations and negative customer feedback.
Can I paste timestamps from spreadsheets?
Yes. Use the batch format: OrderID, Start, End with timestamps like YYYY-MM-DDTHH:MM. The tool parses comma-separated lines and reports invalid rows for quick cleanup.
Why do some orders show large calendar time but small business time?
They may span nights, weekends, or holidays. Business time only counts minutes within your selected work schedule, so off-hours expand calendar time without adding business time.