A pick rate planning system is utilized to determine pick rates needed for the picking of items in a materials handling facility. Critical pull times (“CPTs”) are determined which indicate times by which items must be picked from inventory. Multiple pick rates that overlap in time are made to have an overall total pick rate that is relatively constant, so as to avoid spikes or other undesirable fluctuations in the overall total pick rate, which improves labor planning. Pick rates for later CPTs are designated as being for that CPT or any earlier CPTs, and all of the pick rates are designated as minimum suggested pick rates. These designations provide the picking scheduler with greater flexibility that results in higher pick density and productivity.