# Cycle Time Metrics (QMS)

QMS includes standard state types to allow Admins to configure supported object lifecycles to capture cycle time metrics and report on the efficiency of their processes.

## How Cycle Time Metrics Work {#state-types}

Cycle time metrics are captured via the use of two standard state types:

  * _Cycle Time Start_: When an object record enters the state selected for this state type, Vault begins counting the cycle time. When this happens, Vault creates and begins populating a cycle time metric object record, storing [relevant data][2].
  * _Cycle Time Stop_: When an object record enters the state selected for this state type, Vault stops counting the cycle time. Vault stores relevant data in the cycle time metric object record, and calculates additional [useful data][2].

## About the Cycle Time Metric Object {#metric-object}

Vault automatically captures and calculates the following reportable data in cycle time metric objects as records enter the [metric-triggering state types][1]:

  * _Cycle Time Start Date_: The date and time that the record entered the _Cycle Time Start_ state type, starting the cycle timer.
  * _Cycle Time Stop Date_: The date and time that the record entered the _Cycle Time Stop_ state type, stopping the cycle timer.
  * _Cycle Time_: The number of days between the starting and stopping of the cycle timer.

Vault captures reportable data for additional fields depending on the applicable cycle time metric object.

## Supported Objects

Cycle time metrics are currently supported for the the following objects and object types.

### Quality Events

Vault supports use of the _Quality Event Cycle Time Metric_ object for the _Quality Event_ object, custom _Quality Event_ object types, all custom and standard object types of [standalone event objects][3], and for the following standard _Quality Event_ object types: _Change Control_, _Complaint_, _Continuous Improvement_, _Deviation_, _External Finding_, _Internal Finding_, _Lab Investigation_, _Medtech Complaint_, and _Nonconformance_. The following cycle time metric-related fields apply only to _Quality Event Cycle Time Metric_:

  * _Original Due Date_: The value of the due date field when the cycle timer started.
  * _Current Due Date_: The latest value of the due date field. This value is typically updated via _Extension Requests_.
  * _Cycle Time Delta from Original Due Date_: The number of days an object record closes before or after the original due date. A negative value indicates a closure before the original due date.
  * _Cycle Time Delta from Current Due Date_: The number of days an object record closes before or after the current due date, after any extensions. A negative value indicates a closure before the current due date.
  * _Extensions Granted_: The number of extensions granted, typically updated via _Extension Requests_.

#### Standalone Event Objects {#standalone}

Vault supports use of the _Quality Event Cycle Time Metric_ object for the _Change Control_, _Change Plan_, _Deviation_, _Finding_, _Lab Investigation_,  _Continuous Improvement_, _Nonconformance_, and _MedTech CAPA_ objects, using the same _Quality Event Cycle Time Metric_ records and fields as with _Quality Events_, with the exception of the _Extensions Granted_ field.

### Audits

Vault supports use of the _Audit Cycle Time Metric_ object for the _Audit_ object and custom _Audit_ object types. The following cycle time metric-related fields apply only to _Audit Cycle Time Metric_:

  * _Actual Start Date_: The date that the _Audit_ began.
  * _Actual End Date_: The date that the _Audit_ ended.
  * _Audit Preparation Cycle Time_: The number of days between the _Cycle Time Start Date_ and the _Actual Start Date_.
  * _Audit Reporting/Response Cycle Time_: The number of days between the _Actual End Date_ and the _Cycle Time Stop Date_.
  * _Planned vs. Actual Audit Duration Delta_: The difference in the number of days between the _Scheduled Start Date_ and _Scheduled End Date_ and the _Actual Start Date_ and _Actual End Date_.
  * _Planned vs. Actual Audit Start Delta_: The number of days between the _Scheduled Start Date_ and the _Actual Start Date_.
  * _Scheduled Start Date_: The date that the _Audit_ is scheduled to begin.
  * _Scheduled End Date_: The date that the _Audit_ is scheduled to end.

[1]: #state-types
[2]: #metric-object
[3]: #standalone