ontime

Ontime, usually written as "on time" or hyphenated as "on-time," refers to the condition of occurring at or before the scheduled time. It is used as both an adjective (on-time delivery) and an adverb (arrived on time). In common usage, "on time" implies punctuality and reliability in timing, as opposed to late or delayed.

In transportation, logistics, and service industries, on-time performance is a key metric. It is often expressed as a percentage of events meeting a defined time window around the scheduled time, such as within 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Airlines track punctuality of departures and arrivals; freight and parcel carriers monitor on-time delivery; public transit agencies report on-time arrival of vehicles. In project management, completing milestones on schedule is described as delivering for the plan or on time, subject to scope.

Why it matters: high on-time performance is linked to customer satisfaction, contractual obligations (SLAs), and reduced costs from delays and idle resources. Factors that undermine on-time performance include weather, traffic congestion, equipment failures, supply chain disruptions, and planning inaccuracies. Organizations commonly improve on-time rates through buffer times, dynamic routing, real-time tracking, proactive maintenance, and contingency planning.

Spelling notes: Standard English typically uses two words ("on time") or hyphenated "on-time" when used as an adjective; "ontime" as a single word is uncommon and mostly seen in branding or niche contexts.