Which performance metric indicates timely delivery?

• A. On-time delivery rate.
• B. Total cost of ownership.
• C. Number of late amendments.
• D. Schedule variance.

Answer: (A)

Timeliness of delivery is best measured by the on-time delivery rate. This metric directly captures the fraction of deliveries that meet their committed due dates, giving a clear and actionable view of punctual performance. It answers the essential question: are we delivering on time?

Total cost of ownership looks at costs over the product’s life, not when items arrive. The number of late amendments focuses on changes after delivery, not the timing of the initial delivery. Schedule variance indicates how far ahead or behind the overall plan the project is, which is broader than the punctuality of each delivery and can be influenced by how plans are defined. So the on-time delivery rate most accurately indicates timely delivery.