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10 Metrics and KPIs Dashboard for Manufacturing Business
Mar 18, 2025
Ka Ling Wu
Co-Founder & CEO, Upsolve AI
In manufacturing, every second counts.
A single delay, machine breakdown, or inefficiency can derail production, increase costs, and hurt profitability.
That’s why top manufacturers rely on KPI dashboards—the ultimate tool for tracking performance, spotting bottlenecks, and making real-time, data-driven decisions.
Instead of waiting for reports, manufacturers can see issues as they happen, optimize workflows, and stay ahead of costly problems before they escalate.
But with dozens of potential metrics, which ones actually matter?
In this guide, I’ll break down 10 must-track manufacturing KPIs that drive efficiency, cut downtime, and boost profitability.
10 Metrics and KPIs Dashboard for Manufacturing Business
A well-structured KPI dashboard provides real-time insights, helping businesses optimize production and minimize downtime.
Here are 10 essential manufacturing metrics to monitor:
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Production Downtime
Cycle Time
First Pass Yield (FPY)
Scrap Rate
Inventory Turnover
Capacity Utilization
On-Time Delivery Rate
Maintenance Cost Per Unit
Revenue Per Employee
Each of these KPIs plays a crucial role in improving manufacturing performance. Let’s dive into their details.
Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
OEE is the gold standard for measuring manufacturing efficiency.
It evaluates how well equipment is performing by considering availability, performance, and quality.
Formula For OEE
OEE = Availability × Performance × Quality |
Availability = Operating Time / Planned Production Time
Performance = (Total Units Produced × Ideal Cycle Time) / Operating Time
Quality = Good Units Produced / Total Units Produced
Why It Matters
It identifies bottlenecks in production.
It helps reduce downtime and optimize machine usage.
It improves product quality by tracking defects and rework.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Live machine status (Running, Idle, Downtime)
OEE trends over time (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)
Top reasons for equipment inefficiency
Quality control insights (defect rates, first-pass yield)
Production Downtime
Production downtime measures the total time a machine or production line is inactive due to breakdowns, maintenance, or changeovers.
High downtime directly impacts productivity and profitability.
Formula For Production Downtime
Production Downtime = Total Downtime Hours × 100 Total Scheduled Production Time |
Why It Matters
It Highlights the major causes of inefficiency in manufacturing.
They help in scheduling preventive maintenance to reduce unexpected failures.
It also serves to reduce lost production time, improving overall output.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Downtime trends (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)
Breakdown frequency and root causes
Scheduled vs. unscheduled downtime
Machine-wise downtime comparison
Cycle Time
Cycle time measures the total time required to produce one unit from start to finish.
It includes processing, waiting, and handling time, making it a critical indicator of production speed and efficiency.
Formula
Cycle Time = Total Production Time Total Units Produced |
Why It Matters
It helps in identifying bottlenecks in the production process.
It improves workflow efficiency by reducing unnecessary delays.
The Cycle time metric enables better production planning to meet demand.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Real-time cycle time tracking for different production stages
Comparison of actual vs. target cycle time
Cycle time breakdown by machine, product type, or shift
Historical trends to spot inefficiencies
First Pass Yield (FPY)
First Pass Yield (FPY) measures the percentage of products that meet quality standards without requiring rework or repairs.
It indicates how efficient the production process is at delivering defect-free products the first time.
Formula
FPY = Good Units Produced × 100 Total Units Produced |
Why It Matters
Reduces rework costs and material waste.
Improves customer satisfaction by ensuring high product quality.
Identifies process inefficiencies affecting production quality.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
FPY trends over time (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)
Comparison of FPY across machines, shifts, or product types
Root cause analysis of defects and quality failures
Correlation with other KPIs (OEE, Scrap Rate, Downtime)
Scrap Rate
Scrap Rate measures the percentage of materials or products that cannot be reworked or used due to defects.
It is a key metric for assessing waste levels and production efficiency.
Formula
Scrap Rate = Scrap Units Produced × 100 Total Units Produced |
Why It Matters
Helps identify inefficiencies in the manufacturing process.
Reduces material waste and production costs.
Improves overall product quality and yield.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Scrap Rate trends by shift, machine, or product line
Defect root cause analysis to identify recurring issues
Comparison of actual vs. target Scrap Rate
Cost impact of scrap on profitability
Inventory Turnover
Inventory Turnover measures how efficiently a manufacturing business sells and replaces its inventory over a given period.
A high turnover indicates strong sales and efficient inventory management, while a low turnover may suggest overstocking or slow-moving products.
Formula
Inventory Turnover = Cost Of Goods Sold . Average Inventory Value |
Why It Matters
Reduces holding costs and prevents excess stock.
Improves cash flow by ensuring faster inventory movement.
Helps align production with demand for better supply chain management.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Real-time inventory levels across warehouses and production lines
Turnover trends by product category or season
Alerts for slow-moving or excess inventory
Correlation with sales performance and demand forecasting
Capacity Utilization
Capacity Utilization measures the percentage of a manufacturing facility's total production capacity that is being used.
It helps businesses understand if they are maximizing resources or operating below potential.
Formula
Capacity Utilization = Actual Output × 100 Maximum Possible output |
Why It Matters
Ensures optimal use of machinery and workforce.
Helps identify underutilized resources or production bottlenecks.
Guides investment decisions on scaling production capacity.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Real-time capacity usage by production line or facility
Trends in utilization over time (Daily, Weekly, Monthly)
Comparison of actual vs. target capacity utilization
Alerts for overloaded or underutilized machines
On-Time Delivery Rate
On-Time Delivery Rate measures the percentage of customer orders that are delivered on or before the promised date. It is a critical KPI for customer satisfaction and supply chain efficiency.
Formula
On-Time Delivery Rate = Orders Delivered On Time × 100 Total Orders Shipped |
Why It Matters
Enhances customer satisfaction and trust.
Identifies bottlenecks in production or logistics.
Reduces penalties or fines due to late deliveries.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
On-time vs. late shipments trends
Delivery performance by product line or region
Root cause analysis of delays (production, inventory, logistics)
Correlation with inventory levels and order processing times
Maintenance Cost Per Unit
Maintenance Cost Per Unit measures the total maintenance expenses incurred per unit of production.
It helps manufacturers assess the cost-effectiveness of equipment maintenance and identify opportunities for cost reduction.
Formula
Inventory Turnover = Total Maintenance Costs Total Units Produced |
Why It Matters
Helps track preventive vs. reactive maintenance costs.
Reduces unexpected breakdowns and costly emergency repairs.
Improves overall cost-efficiency in production.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Trends in maintenance expenses over time
Comparison of planned vs. unplanned maintenance costs
Breakdown of maintenance costs per machine or production line
Correlation with downtime and equipment failures
Revenue Per Employee
Revenue Per Employee measures the average amount of revenue generated per worker in a manufacturing business.
It helps assess workforce productivity and overall operational efficiency.
Formula
Revenue Per Employee = Total Revenue . Total Number Of Employees |
Why It Matters
It helps evaluate labor efficiency and workforce contribution.
It Identifies areas for automation or workforce optimization.
It supports scaling decisions by balancing labor costs and revenue.
Real-World Dashboard Insights
Revenue per employee trends over time
Comparison across departments, shifts, or locations
Correlation between workforce size and production output
How to Use a KPI Dashboard for Manufacturing
Here’s how to use a KPI dashboard effectively for your manufacturing business:
Step | What to Do | Why It Matters | Example KPI |
Monitor Performance in Real-Time | Use live updates instead of manual reports. | Detects issues like downtime, slow production, and quality problems immediately. | Machine Status, Production Volume, Downtime |
Customize Metrics Based on Goals | Choose KPIs based on business priorities. | Ensures relevant data for different teams (operators vs. managers). | Scrap Rate, Defect Rate, Efficiency |
Create Alerts for Quick Action | Set up automatic notifications when KPIs go out of range. | Prevents minor issues from becoming major disruptions. | Downtime Thresholds, Production Speed |
Visualize Data for Easy Understanding | Use charts, graphs, and color coding. | Helps teams quickly spot trends and problem areas. | OEE Trends, Quality Control Metrics |
Share Insights Across Teams | Make dashboards accessible to production, supervisors, and management. | Improves decision-making and collaboration. | Shift Performance, Order Fulfillment Rate |
🚀 Why This Works?
Makes it easy to scan and apply key insights.
Provides real-world examples of relevant KPIs.
Aligns each action with a clear business impact.
Monitor Performance in Real-Time
The main advantage of a KPI dashboard is its ability to provide live updates.
Instead of waiting for manual reports, the dashboard automatically refreshes to give you the latest data, allowing you to track key metrics as they happen.
Keep an eye on important KPIs like machine status, production volume, and downtime.
Real-time data helps you detect issues such as unexpected downtime, slow production, or quality problems immediately, so you can take action before they affect your business.
Customize Metrics Based on Your Goals
Each manufacturing operation is unique, so your KPI dashboard should reflect your specific goals and needs.
Choose metrics that are most important for your business. For example, if you’re focused on reducing waste, track scrap rate or defect rates more than others.
Different team members need different data so adjust accordingly. A production line worker might need to see machine status, while a manager might focus on overall production performance.
Create Alerts for Quick Action
Set up alerts and notifications for when KPIs fall outside of expected ranges.
When a metric goes above or below a threshold, your dashboard can send an alert to the appropriate team members. For example, if downtime exceeds a set limit, an automatic alert will notify the manager.
Alerts help you respond quickly to problems, preventing small issues from turning into larger, more expensive ones.
Visualize Data for Easy Understanding
A well-designed dashboard uses visual elements like graphs, charts, and gauges to make data easy to understand at a glance.
Use color-coded charts to highlight areas that need attention, such as production delays or quality issues.
Show trends over time (daily, weekly, or monthly) to help identify patterns in your performance. For instance, you can track OEE trends to see how machine performance improves or declines over time.
Share Insights Across Teams
KPI dashboards are most effective when shared with everyone in your organization.
Make sure your dashboard is accessible to all relevant teams—production workers, supervisors, and management. Each team can then use the dashboard to monitor and act on their part of the operation.
Sharing data empowers teams to make decisions based on accurate, real-time information, which can improve overall performance.
A KPI dashboard helps track manufacturing performance, but common mistakes can reduce its effectiveness. If not used properly, it can lead to confusing data, poor decisions, and missed improvements.
Here are key pitfalls to avoid and how to fix them for better results.
What NOT to Do When Using a KPI Dashboard for Manufacturing
Mistake | Why It’s a Problem | Better Approach |
Tracking Too Many KPIs | Overloading the dashboard with excessive data makes it hard to focus on key insights. | Stick to 5-10 essential KPIs that align with business goals. |
Ignoring Real-Time Alerts | Delayed responses to production issues can lead to costly downtime and inefficiencies. | Set up threshold-based alerts for quick action. |
Using Complicated Data Visuals | Overly complex charts or tables make it difficult to understand performance at a glance. | Use clear graphs, color coding, and trend indicators. |
Not Customizing for Different Teams | A generic dashboard doesn’t provide relevant insights for different roles. | Tailor dashboards for operators, supervisors, and managers. |
Failing to Update Metrics Regularly | Outdated KPIs may lead to poor decision-making based on irrelevant data. | Continuously review and adjust KPIs as business needs evolve. |
Not Sharing Insights Across Teams | Keeping KPI data siloed prevents collaboration and informed decision-making. | Ensure dashboards are accessible to all relevant teams. |
Ignoring Historical Data Trends | Focusing only on real-time data can prevent you from spotting long-term inefficiencies. | Compare weekly, monthly, and yearly trends to track progress. |
Overlooking Data Accuracy Issues | Inaccurate or inconsistent data can lead to poor strategic decisions. | Regularly audit data sources to ensure reliability. |
Why This Works?
Prevents common dashboard mistakes that reduce effectiveness.
Gives actionable fixes to improve data accuracy and usability.
Ensures that KPI tracking leads to measurable business improvements.
Conclusion: Efficiency with the Right KPI Dashboard
Manufacturing KPIs isn’t about simply tracking numbers; it’s about making every number work for you.
Tracking the right KPIs gives you a clear, comprehensive view of your operations.
This enables you to optimize, streamline, and scale with precision, keeping you ahead of the competition and helping you avoid costly pitfalls.
But the real challenge isn’t just tracking metrics—it’s ensuring your team can act on the insights.
So, what's the next step?
You’re just one dashboard away from improving your operations.
If you want an easier way to track your manufacturing KPIs and metrics, Upsolve AI can help.
With its AI-powered platform, you can embed real-time, actionable insights into your daily workflow—without the hassle of manual reports or clunky systems.
Try Upsolve AI today and take control of your manufacturing performance!
