Work content (Wc) represents total operator cycle time or, if multiple operators are involved, the sum of operator cycle times to perform a specific process(es) or subprocess(es). The scope of human work, including both value-added and nonvalue-added activities, may encompass a complete value stream or only a portion of it.

For example, the lean practitioner may speak of the work content to check-in and room a patient, assemble a sensor module, or process a claim. The term “total work content,” is applied when referencing the work content to build a product in its entirety, or completely execute a certain transaction.

As the name implies, the focus is on the work and reflects the sum total work of all people within the subject process(es) or subprocess(es) to complete one cycle. Think about work content as the work—comprised of manual, wait, and walk time—it would take if one person were to execute the entire cycle all by himself. Of course, when one person does do the entire cycle, work content is pretty easy to determine.

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