turnaround time

USAGE SUMMARY

"turnaround time" is an acceptable phrase in written English.
You can use it to refer to the time needed for a task to be completed from start to finish. For example, "Our department has a three-day turnaround time for processing orders."

✓ Grammatically correct

Academia

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

60 human-written examples

Turnaround time is quicker.

The New York Times

We're currently effective turnaround time and not potential turnaround time.

University of California, Berkeley

Turnaround time is five to seven days.

Harvard Business Review

Turnaround time is an important component of endoscopy unit efficiency.

Gastrointestinal Endoscopy

It increases throughput and reduces turnaround time and cost.

Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences

The standard turnaround time is within 5 working days.

Cornell University

During high volume periods, turnaround time may be slightly higher.

Columbia University

What is the turnaround time and cost for heparin assays?

Cornell University

The standard turnaround time is 7 business days.

University of California, Berkeley

(greater then the turnaround time of almost all hosts).

University of California, Berkeley

There should be no thresholds for turnaround time.

University of California, Berkeley

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When specifying a "turnaround time", be precise. Use specific units like days, hours, or minutes to avoid ambiguity. For example, state "24-hour turnaround time" rather than just "quick turnaround".

Common error

Avoid using vague terms like "as soon as possible" or "quickly" when referring to "turnaround time". Provide a concrete timeframe to set clear expectations.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "turnaround time" functions as a noun phrase, often acting as the subject or object of a sentence. It refers to the amount of time needed to complete a process or task, as demonstrated in Ludwig examples such as "Turnaround time is quicker" and "The standard turnaround time is within 5 working days."

Expression frequency: Very common

Frequent in

Academia

32%

News & Media

29%

Science

37%

Less common in

Wiki

1%

Formal & Business

1%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "turnaround time" is a common and grammatically correct way to refer to the amount of time needed to complete a process or task. As confirmed by Ludwig AI, it is suitable for a wide range of contexts, from academic research and news reports to business and scientific communications. The examples show that it’s particularly prevalent in academic, news, and scientific publications. To ensure clarity, it's best to specify the units of time (e.g., days, hours) and avoid vague estimations. Related phrases like "completion time" and "processing time" can be used as alternatives, depending on the specific context. The phrase sees consistent usage across various authoritative sources, including The New York Times, Cornell University and Forbes.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

completion time

Focuses specifically on the duration until a task is finished.

processing time

Emphasizes the duration required for a specific process to be completed.

cycle time

Implies a repetitive process and the time for one cycle.

lead time

Highlights the time from initiation to the start of production or delivery.

response time

Focuses on the duration to receive a response or acknowledgement.

time to completion

Directly states the duration until something is finished.

service delivery time

Specifically relates to the time taken to deliver a service.

throughput time

Emphasizes the rate at which items are processed.

job completion time

Refers to the time taken for a job to be fully executed.

time required

A general term indicating the duration needed for any activity.

FAQs

How is "turnaround time" used in project management?

In project management, "turnaround time" refers to the time it takes to complete a specific task or phase, from initiation to completion. Efficient management aims to minimize the "cycle time" and improve overall project delivery.

What factors influence "turnaround time" in manufacturing?

Several factors can affect "turnaround time" in manufacturing, including production process efficiency, resource availability, supply chain logistics, and quality control procedures. Optimizing these aspects can lead to faster "processing time" and reduced overall completion duration.

How do hospitals measure "turnaround time"?

Hospitals measure "turnaround time" for various processes, such as lab results, radiology reports, and discharge procedures. Faster "turnaround times" can improve patient care, reduce waiting times, and enhance overall operational efficiency. A target "response time" is critical in emergency situations.

What's the difference between "turnaround time" and "lead time"?

"Turnaround time" refers to the time it takes to complete a specific process or task once it has started. "Lead time", on the other hand, includes the entire duration from the initial order or request until the final delivery or completion, which might include wait times or preparation periods before the actual process begins.