Purpose - To provide a model for precise logistic controlling of one-piece flow processes and for the description of the interactions between logistic performance measures. The developed method can help manufacturing enterprises to control their production processes and therewith to exploit existing rationalization potentials in their production. Design/methodology/approach - The Institute of Production System and Logistics adapted the logistic operating curve for schedule reliability and the logistic operating curve for mean throughput time to describe the behaviour of one-piece flow processes. This model-based method depicts the correlation between the delivery reliability and mean WIP level of single manufacturing systems and enables a goal-oriented modelling as well as a controlling of single manufacturing processes. Findings - The derivation, calculation, and fields of application of the logistic operating curves for one-piece flow processes, that give a functional relationship between mean WIP, mean throughput time and schedule reliability, are presented in this paper. Moreover, the paper presents how the logistic performance measures can be adjusted to target values. Originality/value - This paper offers practical help to manufacturing enterprises confronted with the task of evaluation and optimization of manufacturing processes within the framework of production controlling. Moreover, the developed method enables manufacturing enterprises to identify bottleneck work systems where action can be taken to optimize their schedule situation and thereby improve the delivery reliability of an entire manufacturing department. © Emerald Group Publishing Limited.