The percentage of time a production system is unavailable due to machine failures, maintenance, or other issues.

What it Measures ?

How often our machines are not working.

Relevant StakeHolders 

Maintenance Team, Plant Manager

Why it Matters ?

Identifies and reduces downtime impact.

In-depth Use Case / Real-world Example

Downtime Rate shows how often and for how long equipment is non-operational during production. For example, if a machine is down for 10 hours in a 100-hour production cycle, the downtime rate is (10 / 100) × 100 = 10%. High downtime rates signal inefficiencies or potential failures in equipment maintenance, which can cause delays and loss of production. To improve this, manufacturers might introduce predictive maintenance, where machines are serviced before they break down. By minimizing downtime, a factory can increase overall productivity and reduce unplanned stoppages, leading to more consistent output and cost savings.