Takt is a German word for ‘beat’ or ‘rhythm’. Takt time is the pace at which the customer is buying a particular product or service and is used to precisely match production with demand. Takt time is calculated by taking the available time to work and dividing it by the demand for that same period of time. Takt time is not how long it takes to perform a task. Takt time cannot be reduced or increased except by changes in sales or available time to work. All cycle times must be within takt time for customer demand to be met. Takt time is one of the three elements of Just in Time manufacturing.