Sollzeiten

Sollzeiten, often translated as target times or standard times, denote the time allocated or deemed necessary to complete a task or process under normal working conditions. They serve as benchmarks for planning, costing and performance measurement. Sollzeiten are typically contrasted with Istzeiten, the actual times observed during execution.

Determination and calculation: Sollzeiten can be established by time studies, predefined time standards, or from historical data and process knowledge. Common methods include REFA standards, MTM (Methods-Time Measurement), and other predefined data bases. The basic approach is to measure an operation, adjust for worker performance, and add allowances for fatigue, breaks, and delays to yield a standard time.

Applications: In manufacturing and service sectors, Sollzeiten support production planning, capacity calculation, and wage systems. They enable scheduling, workload balancing, standard costing and productivity benchmarking. Sollzeiten also provide a basis for process improvement by highlighting deviations between planned and actual durations.

Limitations: Sollzeiten depend on assumed conditions such as equipment, layout, and skill level. They must be reviewed regularly to remain valid, and introduced with transparency to avoid misinterpretation. Overreliance on Sollzeiten without monitoring Istzeiten can mask inefficiencies or changes in work conditions.

Related terms and concepts include Istzeiten (actual times), time studies, and standard-setting methods such as REFA and MTM.