Batch wait
Also known as Batching delay
Definition
Batch wait is the elapsed delay caused by holding work until a batch threshold, calendar window, or group of related items is ready. It is a queue effect created by batching policy.
Batch wait in practice
Batch wait is the elapsed delay caused by holding work until a batch threshold, calendar window, or group of related items is ready. It is a queue effect created by batching policy.
A concrete example
An illustrative team collects validated changes until Friday's release window. A change ready Monday spends four days waiting even though implementation and checks are complete. The delay is part of end-to-end flow time.
How to use the signal
Compare this measure with cycle time, throughput, work in progress, and queue time. Define the start and finish events, inspect distributions instead of relying on one average, and record the policy behind any comparison. A useful measure should lead to a specific question about flow rather than a score for an individual.
Limitations
Batching may protect safety, coordination, or transaction integrity. A shorter wait is not always better if it creates unsafe releases or expensive setup work.
How this relates to Weave
Weave's engineering intelligence can help teams inspect delivery activity and timing around batch wait. Use those signals to find patterns and test workflow improvements, while keeping the team's work system as the source of truth for product, operational, and dependency context.
Explore Engineering intelligence