tatimet

Tatimet is a framework and toolkit designed to treat time as a first-class measurable resource within workflows. It emphasizes collecting real-time data on task durations, wait times, and throughput, and using that data to inform planning and decision making in fields such as project management, manufacturing, and software development. The aim is to help teams optimize schedules, reduce delays, and improve predictability.

The name Tatimet blends concepts from time and metrology, signaling an emphasis on standardizing and quantifying time within processes. While the framework does not prescribe a single rigid method, it provides a family of practices that can be adapted to different domains and toolchains. Common goals include improving the accuracy of duration estimates, exposing bottlenecks, and enabling data-driven prioritization.

Originating in the early 2020s through interactions between real-time systems research, lean production, and agile management, Tatimet circulated primarily as a conceptual framework and in pilot implementations. It has since been discussed in industry writings and academic contexts as a flexible approach rather than a formal standard, with various organizations customizing its components to fit their existing systems.

Core components of Tatimet typically include methods for time data collection (timestamps from task logs and sensors), duration modeling (statistical or machine learning approaches), event-driven planning, and visual dashboards that highlight time risks and capacity. The framework also emphasizes interoperability with enterprise software, such as ERP and project-tracking tools, to support continuous improvement and adaptive scheduling.

Critics note that without universal standards, Tatimet can lead to fragmentation or inconsistent metrics. Proponents argue that its strength lies in adaptability, data-driven insight, and the ability to integrate time considerations into broader optimization efforts.