Tracking real-time metrics in manufacturing means making informed decisions, as visibility into key performance indicators keeps operations running smoothly and efficiently.
With live data at your fingertips, you’re no longer reacting after the damage is done. Instead, you can:
In this blog, we’ll break down essential production metrics, explore product and productivity metrics, and discuss how digital signage software enables real-time tracking for better decision-making.
If you're not tracking production metrics, you're making decisions in the dark.
These numbers tell you exactly where your manufacturing process stands—whether machines are running efficiently, production targets are being met, or downtime is eating into profits.
Without production metrics, it’s impossible to spot inefficiencies before they turn into costly problems.
This production metric is essential for understanding output trends and assessing whether production is keeping pace with demand.
A consistent drop in production volume can indicate raw material shortages, inefficiencies in machine scheduling, or workforce constraints—all of which need attention before they snowball into bigger issues.
Idle machines during work hours result in lost revenue. By tracking when, where, and why machines are offline, you can prevent recurring failures, optimize maintenance schedules, and ensure production lines are running as consistently as possible.
OEE measures how well equipment is performing by factoring in three critical elements: availability (uptime vs. downtime), performance (speed of operations), and quality (rate of defect-free production).
A low OEE signals deeper issues—frequent breakdowns, slow production cycles, or excessive rework. Identifying which factor is dragging OEE down helps you make targeted improvements, reducing waste and maximizing efficiency.
Also Read: Real-Time Data for Real-Time Decisions in Manufacturing
Throughput rate measures how quickly finished goods move through production, factoring in all processing times, inspections, and wait periods. If your throughput rate is lagging, it means bottlenecks are slowing the workflow.
Tracking this production metric helps pinpoint problem areas—whether it’s a machine that can’t keep up with demand or a quality check process that’s taking longer than necessary.
Unlike OEE, which considers only planned production hours, TEEP evaluates equipment performance as if it were running 24/7.
This production metric highlights untapped potential—whether it's unused machine time, scheduling inefficiencies, or limited labor shifts. If your TEEP score is low, you might have an opportunity to increase production without adding new equipment, simply by adjusting shift patterns or minimizing non-productive hours.
Capacity utilization calculates how much of your total production potential is actively being used. Running at full capacity isn’t always ideal—overuse can lead to wear and tear—but consistently low utilization suggests resources are being wasted.
By analyzing this production metric, you can adjust production schedules, reallocate labor, or decide whether investing in more machinery is necessary to meet demand.
Unlike production metrics, which track overall output, product metrics help fine-tune processes at the product level to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.
How long should it take to produce a single unit to keep up with customer demand? That’s what takt time tells you.
It’s calculated by dividing the total available production time by the average customer demand. If takt time is too high, you might be overproducing, leading to excess inventory. If it’s too low, production might not be keeping up, resulting in delays.
Every time you switch from producing one product to another, the clock is ticking.
Changeover time measures how long it takes to complete this transition, including tool adjustments, machine reconfigurations, and clearing old materials.
A long changeover time means more idle machines and lower output. Tracking this product metric helps identify ways to streamline setups, ensuring that downtime between batches is kept to a minimum.
Quality-related product metrics help manufacturers assess how well their processes are performing.
Also Read: The Most Important KPIs for Manufacturing Productivity
Tracking the right productivity metrics helps you understand efficiency at both the individual and organizational levels.
This productivity metric measures how much revenue is generated per worker. A higher revenue per employee indicates efficient operations, while a lower one might suggest inefficiencies in workload distribution, training gaps, or process bottlenecks.
Not all working hours contribute directly to output. Employee utilization tracks the percentage of time spent on core job responsibilities versus administrative tasks, meetings, or non-billable work.
Labor costs often make up a significant portion of business expenses. TCOW includes salaries, benefits, training, recruitment, and contractor costs.
Understanding this productivity metric helps businesses manage workforce investments wisely—whether that means optimizing hiring strategies, reallocating budgets, or identifying inefficiencies in payroll spending.
Digital signage software ensures that real-time production metrics are visible where they matter most—on the shop floor.
Instead of relying on static reports or digging through dashboards, teams get instant updates on performance, efficiency, and potential issues.
Also Read: The Impact of Digital Signage on Uptime, Productivity, and Labor Cost Reduction
Real-time metrics give manufacturers the clarity needed to keep operations efficient and predictable.
From tracking production volume to optimizing workforce utilization, these metrics ensure that decisions are backed by live data—not outdated reports.
But having the numbers isn’t enough. What truly matters is how easily teams can access and act on them.
At L Squared, we make this process simple. Our digital signage software fits into your existing infrastructure, ensuring critical metrics are always visible—where and when they matter most.
Whether it’s improving shop floor coordination, reducing errors, or keeping teams informed, we help manufacturers turn data into action.
Want to keep your operations running at peak efficiency? Reach out to L Squared today and see how real-time visibility can make a difference.
What are key production metrics manufacturers should track?
Manufacturers should track production metrics like production volume, downtime, overall equipment effectiveness (OEE), throughput rate, and capacity utilization. These help monitor efficiency, identify bottlenecks, and ensure production aligns with demand.
How do production metrics empower manufacturing workers?
Real-time production metrics give workers instant insights into performance, machine status, and workflow efficiency. With clear data, teams can act faster, reduce downtime, and adjust processes without relying on outdated reports or guesswork.
How does digital signage software improve production monitoring?
Digital signage software displays real-time metrics across the shop floor, ensuring teams stay informed without checking separate reports or systems. It highlights performance trends, alerts workers to slowdowns, and enables quick decision-making to maintain efficiency.
What’s the difference between production metrics and product metrics?
Production metrics measure overall manufacturing performance—output, efficiency, and downtime—while product metrics focus on individual product performance, including takt time, changeover time, and defect rates. Both help optimize manufacturing but address different aspects of the process.