Service rate
Also known as Processing rate, Stage completion rate
Definition
Service rate is the number of items that a stage or system completes per unit of time. It is a measured outcome of capacity, work mix, policies, and variation, not a fixed property of a person.
Completion capacity in motion
Service rate measures departures from a stage. If ten reviewable changes are approved in a week, the observed review service rate is ten per week for that population. It can change with staffing, work size, automation, policy, interruptions, and the queue available to process.
A concrete example
An illustrative team can validate six small changes per day, but only two large migrations. Reporting one rate for both classes would obscure the work mix. Segmenting the classes gives a more useful view of capacity and exposes where a policy needs attention.
Compare arrival and service
When arrival rate is higher than service rate for long enough, a queue tends to grow. Inspect age, WIP, and quality while testing interventions such as smaller batches, clearer pull criteria, or additional safe capability.
Limitations
Past service rate does not guarantee future capacity. A rate based on completed items may omit abandoned or blocked work. State the stage boundary, interval, and population before using it in a forecast.
How this relates to Weave
Weave can help teams study completed change activity and delivery events that indicate a service rate. Use the result at the system or stage level and validate it against the workflow source because repository activity is not the whole service population.
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