IstSituation

IstSituation is a term used in German-speaking contexts to denote the current state of a process, system, or organization at a specific moment. It is commonly contrasted with Soll-Situation, the desired or target state. The IstSituation provides a baseline for assessing performance, identifying improvement opportunities, and planning changes.

To determine the IstSituation, teams map how things actually operate (as-is process maps or value stream maps), listing each step, participant, inputs, and outputs. They collect quantitative data such as cycle times, throughput, defect rates, incident response times, costs, and availability, and gather qualitative insights from interviews and direct observation. The result is a current-state description that highlights bottlenecks, waste, compliance gaps, and dependency risks.

Outputs typically include a current-state diagram, a defined problem statement, baseline metrics, and a gap analysis that compares the IstSituation with the Soll-Situation. This analysis informs prioritization and the development of a transition plan to reach the target state. The concept is widely used in manufacturing, service delivery, software development, and IT service management to support continuous improvement efforts.

Limitations of focusing on the IstSituation include its snapshot nature, potential biases in data collection, and rapid changes in complex systems. Effective use requires clear scope, high-quality data, and alignment among stakeholders. By documenting the IstSituation rigorously, organizations can better design improvements and track progress toward the desired future state.

See also: Soll-Situation, gap analysis, process mapping, as-is vs to-be.