How is picking time measured and calculated?
Picking time can be measured at different levels depending on the company’s needs and system setup. Some businesses measure picking time per order line, while others measure it per order or per warehouse employee.
A typical picking time includes:
Walking time between warehouse locations
Time spent identifying the correct item
Registration (for example via scanner)
Any control or handling time
For example, if an employee spends 30 minutes picking 15 order lines, the average picking time is 2 minutes per line. This type of measurement is often used as a KPI in connection with optimizing inventory management.
Picking time is heavily influenced by warehouse layout, product structure, and the level of digital support. Systems that enable structured workflows through picking lists can reduce unnecessary search time and minimize errors.
What affects picking time?
Picking time is not a fixed value. It is influenced by several operational factors in daily warehouse activities.
Warehouse layout and location structure
A well-organized warehouse with effective location management reduces the distance employees need to travel. If high-frequency items are placed close to the packing area, picking time can be significantly reduced.
On the other hand, unstructured storage and inconsistent placement increase both walking time and the risk of errors.
Picking method
The chosen picking strategy has a major impact. Traditional single-order picking may result in longer picking times compared to methods such as batch picking or zone picking, where multiple orders or warehouse zones are handled simultaneously.
The optimal method depends on order volume, number of order lines, and warehouse complexity.
Use of technology
The use of barcoding and a handheld scanner can reduce registration time and minimize picking errors. At the same time, a modern WMS can optimize picking routes and ensure employees move through the warehouse in the most efficient way possible.
Digital support is often essential for achieving stable and measurable improvements in picking time.
Why is picking time important?
Picking time is closely linked to both operational costs and customer satisfaction.
Direct impact on labor costs
The longer the picking time, the more labor hours are required per order. In companies with high order volumes, even small improvements in picking time can result in noticeable cost savings.
Faster order processing
Reduced picking time contributes to shorter lead times across the entire pick and pack process. Efficient pick and pack operations enable orders to be shipped faster, improving delivery performance and customer experience.
Better capacity planning
When picking time is known and stable, it becomes easier to plan staffing levels and forecast capacity requirements. This creates greater predictability in both operations and order management.
How to reduce picking time
Reducing picking time is rarely about making employees work faster. Instead, it is about optimizing structure and processes.
Common initiatives include:
Optimizing warehouse layout and product placement
Analyzing product turnover and positioning items based on pick frequency
Implementing digital picking lists
Using scanning technology
Selecting the appropriate picking strategy
In addition, analyzing product turnover rate can provide insight into which items should be placed in the most accessible locations to minimize movement time.
Systematic measurement is essential. Without data on current picking time, it is difficult to identify areas for improvement.
When can it be relevant to connect picking time with warehouse operations?
Picking time is an operational metric, but it is closely connected to the company’s overall warehouse and order flow. If picking time is high or inconsistent, it may indicate challenges related to warehouse structure, system setup, or process design.
A digital warehouse system can provide:
Real-time overview of picking tasks
Structured picking lists
Traceability at employee and order level
Data for analysis and continuous optimization
A solution like Rackbeat brings inventory status, order flow, and picking processes together in one system, making it possible to work data-driven with warehouse efficiency.
However, it is always the company’s own processes, order volume, and operational goals that determine how picking time should best be optimized.
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