Business operations concept · updated August 8, 2026
Lead Time
Lead time is the total elapsed time from when work is requested to when it is delivered, including any wait before active work begins.
Example
A firm with a short cycle time once work starts, but a long lead time because intake sits unattended for days before being picked up.
Why it matters
Lead time is what the client actually experiences. A fast cycle time doesn't help if requests sit in a queue for weeks before work even starts.
Limits and cautions
Improving internal efficiency does not automatically improve the client's experience. The queue before work starts matters just as much as cycle time.
Relevance to Stelaah
Stelaah surfaces intake and queue status, supporting visibility into lead time, where supported.
This connection describes product intent, not a guarantee that every plan or workflow supports every related capability.