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Project Management & Agile · Intermediate

Little's Law

Queueing theorem stating average cycle time = average WIP / average throughput.

Definition

Proved by John Little, it shows that reducing WIP shortens cycle time when throughput is stable. It applies to stable systems over averages.

Example

WIP 20 items, throughput 5 per week: average cycle time 4 weeks.

Exam tip

To reduce cycle time without changing throughput, reduce WIP.

Related terms