The 85th Percentile Part 1

 explain what it means when a cycle time scatter plot. shows that the 85th percentile distribution is 5 days or less.

When a Cycle Time Scatter Plot indicates that the 85th percentile distribution is 5 days or less, it conveys a specific statistical insight into the process performance: - **Percentile Interpretation:** The 85th percentile means that 85% of the data points (work items or tasks) fall at or below a certain cycle time. In this case, that cycle time is 5 days. - **Specific Meaning:** Looking at all the tasks completed, if you were to line them up from the shortest to the longest cycle time, the cycle time at which 85% of tasks are completed is 5 days or less. - **Process Efficiency Insight:** This information is highly valuable as it suggests that the majority of tasks are processed relatively quickly. Only 15% of tasks take more than 5 days to complete. For an executive or a senior manager, this data point could be used to understand and communicate the efficiency of the team's workflow. - **Benchmarking and Goal Setting:** If the organizational goal is to complete tasks within a 5-day window, this plot shows that they are meeting this goal for most of their work items. It can be a benchmark for continuous improvement or to set new targets for the future. - **Capacity Planning:** Knowing that 85% of tasks are completed in 5 days or less can also help in planning and forecasting. It provides a reliable figure to estimate when future tasks will likely be done, assuming similar conditions. For a senior executive, such a percentile figure is a succinct way to encapsulate the team's performance in meeting service level agreements (SLAs) or internal benchmarks and can be a strong indicator of the team's capability to deliver consistently within a predictable timeframe.