Chapter 2 – Testing Throughout the SDLC
Lead Time – ISTQB Definition
Last Updated: July 12, 2026 · SoftwareTestPilot QA Team
Official ISTQB Definition
The time between a request being made and the request being fulfilled or delivered.
In simple words
How long a customer waits from ‘I want this’ to ‘I got it’.
Exam tip
Lead time includes waiting; cycle time starts only when work begins.
Related terms
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