Body of knowledge concerned with the

analysis of work methods and the equipments

used in performing a job, the design of an
optimum work method and the
standardization of proposed work methods

Analyse present method of doing job, systematically to

develop new and better method

Measure work content of a job by measuring time required

to do job for a qualified worker, hence establish standard
time

Increase productivity by ensuring best possible use of

human, machine, and material resources and to achieve
best quality product/ service at minimum possible cost

Improve operational efficiency

Increased productivity and operational efficiency

Reduced manufacturing costs

Improved work place layout

Better manpower planning and capacity planning

Fair wages to employees

Better working condition to employees

Improved work flow

Reduced material handling costs

Provides standard performance to measure labour efficiency

Better IR and employee morale, basis for incentive

Better job satisfaction

Integration F W Taylor; Frank B and Lilian M. Gilberth

Concerned with systematic analysis and improvement of

manually controlled work

Time study quantitative analysis leading to

establishment of time standard
Better ways of performing tasks / jobs

Motion Study qualitative analysis of work station leading

to design / improvement of an operation/ activity
Exercise control over output

Work Design
Objective: Improve
operations by more
effective utilization of all
resources

Objective: Improve
control by more accurate
planning, manning,
estimating and evaluating
performance

Method Study /
Operational analysis
Design system of
components (men,
material, machine ,
methods, facilities

Work Measurement
Determine measure of
effectiveness

Developed by Gilberth
Motion Study
Analysis of motion of
operator following
prescribed method

(used to evaluate
alternate design
methods)
(used to find
fastest motion
sequences)

Developed by Taylor
Time Study
Determine amount of time
allowed for completion of
prescribed task

Method Study

Work Study

Work Measurement

Select the work to be

studied
Record

the present
method to limit of detail
economically justified using
Operation
process
charts

Flow
process
charts

Motion
Charts

Select the work to be

measured
Record

where necessary effective

and ineffective time under existing
working conditions

Examine

Film
analysis
charts

in order to
eliminate ineffective time

Define method to be used

Examine

the facts critically

in turn purpose, place,
sequence, person and means

Breakdown job into elements

Measure quantity of work
involved in the method by

Develop best method under

prevailing circumstances

Time
Study

Define new method

Install and maintain new
method to achieve

Higher Productivity

Synthesis

Analytical
estimatin
g

Estimate normal time and add

relevant allowances to determine
standard time

To achieve

Study existing proposed method of doing job

Develop improved method to improve
productivity and to reduce operating costs

Reduce excessive material handling or movement

reduce fatigue

Improve utilization of resources

Eliminate wasteful and inefficient motions

Standardise work methods or processes, working

conditions, machinery, equipments and tools
8

Work simplification

Improved work method

Better product quality

Improved workplace layout

Improved equipment design

Better working conditions

Better material handling

Improved work flow

9

Less fatigue to operator

Optimum utilization of all resources

Higher safety to operator

Shorter production cycle time

Higher job satisfaction

Reduced material consumption and wastages

Reduced manufacturing cost and higher

productivity
10

Higher operating cost

High wastage and scrap
Excessive movement of material and workmen
Excessive production bottleneck
Excessive rejections and rework
Complaints about quality
Complaints about poor working conditions
Increasing number of accident
Excessive use of overtime

11

8 steps
1.
2.

3.

4.

Select job to be studied

Record relevant facts about job
techniques of operations charts

Examine recorded facts, questioning

purpose, place sequence, person and the
means of doing job/ process
Develop new method for job/ process/
operations
12

8 steps contd
5. Measure work content and establish
standard time using appropriate work
measurement technique viz time study
using stop watch, synthesis method,
analytical estimating method, motion study,
work sampling
6. Define new method for job/ process
7. Install new method as standard practice
8. Maintain new method for job/ process/
operations
13

Select

Record

select job/ work and define objectives to be

achieved, reduce excessive material handling, fatigue,
improve working conditions and utilization of resources

Process Charts
Outline process chart
Operation process chart
Flow process chart material type, man type and
machine type/ equipment type
Man machine chart
Two handed process chart
Multiple activity chart
Simultaneous Motion chart (SIMO Chart)
Motion Chart
Film Analysis chart

14

Record
Diagrams

Flow diagram
String diagram
Cycle graph
Chronocycligraph

Examine
Challenge everything

What is achieved? question purpose

How is it achieved? means
When is it achieved? sequence
Where it is achieved? place
Who achieves it? - person
15

Develop
Improved method by generating several alternatives
and selecting best method. Factors:
Cost of implementation

Expected savings in time and cost

Feasibility
Producibility

Acceptance to design, production planning and

control, QC procedures and sales depts
Reaction of employees to new method
Short term or long term implication of alternative

16

Install
Method in three phases
Planning
Arranging and
Implementing
First two phases programme of installation and a
schedule are planned and necessary requirements such
as resources, equipment, tools, operating instructions
to workers
Implementation phase introduction of new method as
standard practice

17

Maintain
Maintain by ensuring that installed method is
functioning well.

Periodic checks
Verifications at regular intervals
Control procedures
Measure change of productivity

18

Science of eliminating wastefulness resulting from,

un necessary, ill directed and inefficient motions
Micro motion study
Minute analysis of those operations that are short in
cycle, contain rapid movements and involve high
production over long period of time
Ex: sewing garments, assembling small parts
Primary purpose job analysis, also

Study inter relationship among members of a work group

Study relationship between operator and machine operated
Obtain time for an operation
Establish permanent record of method of doing job
19

Take motion picture of operations

Analyse film and prepare SIMO chart

Very small time values 1/1200 minutes obtained

(use of micro chronometer)
Anlayzed breaking job cycle into micromotions
(therbligs) indicating basic body motions of worker
When the motion begins
The nature of motion
When the motion ends

20

18 kinds of elemental motions used in motion economy study

1.

Search (Sr): eyes or hands are hunting of groping for object

2.

Find (F) : Mental reaction at the end of search

3.

Select (St): Choice of one object among several, hunting

4.

5.

6.

7.

Grasp (G): Taking hold of an object, closing fingers,

prepare to pick, hold, manipulate
Transport Empty (TE) : Moving empty hand in reaching for
object
Transport Loaded (TL) : Moving object from one place to
another
Hold (H): Retention of an object after it has been grasped,
no movement of the object taking place
21

18 kinds of elemental motions used in motion economy study

8.

9.

10.

11.

12.

Release load (RL): Letting go of object. Begins when object

starts to leave hand, ends when object has been completely
separated hand/ finger
Position (P) : Turning or locating an object to be properly
oriented to fit into location intended key to key hole
Pre postioning (PP): Locating an object in a predetermined
place/ locating in correct position for subsequent motion.
Inspect ( I ) : Examining object to determine whether it
complies with standard size, colour, or other previously
determined qualities
Assemble (A) : Placing one object into/ onto another object
which becomes an integral part
22

18 kinds of elemental motions used in motion economy study

7.

8.

9.

10.

11.

Release load (RL): Letting go of object. Begins when object

starts to leave hand, ends when object has been completely
separated hand/ finger
Position (P) : Turning or locating an object to be properly
oriented to fit into location intended key to key hole
Pre postioning (PP): Locating an object in a predetermined
place/ locating in correct position for subsequent motion.
Inspect ( I ) : Examining object to determine whether it
complies with standard size, colour, or other previously
determined qualities
Assemble (A) : Placing one object into/ onto another object
which becomes an integral part
23

18 kinds of elemental motions used in motion economy study

13.

14.

15.

16.

Disassemble (DA): Separating one object from another of

which it is an integral part
USE (U) : Manipulating a tool, device or piece of apparatus
for the purpose for which it was intended
Unavoidable delay (UD): LA delay beyond the control of the
operator
Avoidable Delay ( AD ) : Any delay of the operator for which
he is responsible and over which he has control

17.

Plan (Pn) : A mental reaction, preceding physical movement.

18.

Rest for overcoming fatigue (R) : A delay factor or allowance

24

25

Principles of Motion Economy - Gilberths

Effective use of the operator
Arrangement of work place
Tools and Equipments

Barnes 22 principles

26

M.E. Mundel
Special Micro motion study
Slow speed motion picture
60 to 100 frames per minute
Used for studying flow and handling of materials,
new activites, mutli-man and machine relationships
Low film costs and rapid visuals
General area that can be covered, if person moves
place to place then diffcult

27

Application of techniques designed to

establish work content of a specified task by
determining time required to carrying out of
task at defined standard of performance by
qualified worker
Qualified worker
Required intelligence, education, training on
process, safety, quality

28

Objectives

Improved planning and control of activities

More efficient manning of plant

Reliable indices for labour performance

Reliable basis for labour cost control

Basis for sound incentive schemes

29

Benefits

Basis for comparing alternative methods

Prepare realistic work schedules accurate

assessment of human work

Set standard performance for labour utilization by

establishing labour standard

Compare actual time taken with allowed time (ST)

for proper control

Labour cost estimation

Delivery schedules

30

Techniques

Direct Time Study

Synthesis method

Analytical estimating

Pre determined Motion Time System (PMTS)

Work Sampling or Ratio Delay method

31

Time Study
Concerned with determination of amount of time required to
perform unit of work
As per ILO
Time Study is a work measurement technique for recording the times and
rates of working for the elements of a specified job carried out under
specified conditions and for analysing the data so as to obtain time necessary
for carrying out the job at a defined level of performance

32

Time Study
Objectives:
Main determine by direct observation, the quantity of human
work in a specified task and hence to establish standard time,
within which an average worker working at normal pace should
complete the task using specified method

Furnish a basis of comparison for determining operating

effectiveness

To set labour standard for satisfactory performance

Compare alternative methods in method study to select best

Determine standard cost

Determine labour and equipment requirement

33

Time Study
Objectives contd

Determine basic/ normal times

Determine number of machines an operator can handle

Balance work of operators in production / assembly lines

Provide basis for setting piece rate / incentive wages

Set completion schedules for individual operations

Determine cycle time for job completion

34

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
1.

Select job to be studied

New jobs
Change in manufacturing method
Design change
Change in raw material/ components
Complaint about inadequacy of allowed times
Bottleneck operations
High labour cost
To establish standard time as basis of incentive

New tools, jigs and fixtures

35

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
Select the worker to be studied

2.

Ideally qualified worker best available chosen, rating determined

Conduct Stop watch time study

3.

a)

Obtain and record all information available about job into elements

b)

Record method of doing job and break down job into element
Element distinct part of specified job selected for convenience of
observation, measurement and analysis
Repetitive element: occurs in every work cycle of job. Picking up components
Occasional element: which occurs intervals. E.g. setting tool

Constant element: basic or normal time remains constant, whenever performed

eg measuring dimensions
36

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
Element types contd .
Variable element: for which normal time varies
Manual element: performed manually
Machine element: performed automatically by machine
Governing element: occupies longer time than any other element in job
Foreign element: found to be unnecessary element of job, e.g unexpected tool
breakage

c) Examine various elements to ensure most effective motions are used in

elements of job performed
d) Measure actual time taken by operator to perform each element of job,
using stop watch
37

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
Types of Stopwatch
Non fly back
Fly back
Split hand
Digital

38

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
Types of Stopwatch
Non fly back
Preferred for timing
continuous timing

Pressing the knob long hand

moves

Decimal-minute stop watch

Second press knob stops

Third press back to zero
position
39

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
Types of Stopwatch
Fly back
Start and stop using a slide
Pressing the winding knob brings
hand back to zero
But do not stop but start
immediately moving forward again
Slide is used to stop at any moment
of time
40

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
Types of Stopwatch
Split hand
Higher accuracy when
reading two elements timed
successively

one element complete,

winding knob makes on
arm stop , while other
keeps moving

After recording, the press

releases and catches up
with the second hand

41

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
Types of Stopwatch
Digital stop watches

42

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
e)

Assess effective speed of working of the operator with respect to

time study observers concept of speed of working of qualified
worker who is assumed to have a standard rating

43

44

Time Study
Rating Factor - comparison
Rating assigned in scale
60 - 80

75 - 100

Level of performance

Correspond
ing walking
speed

No activity

Nil

Very slow, clumsy, no interest

to do job

2 mph

Normal, steady, unhurried

3 mph

Brisk, performance of qualified

worker

4 mph

Very fast, incentive motivated

5 mph

100 133 1/3

40

50

67

60

75

100

80

100

133 1/3

100

125

167

45

46

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
g)

Determine relevant allowances:

Allowances are taken as % of basic or normal time usually

i.

Relaxation Allowance (RA) personal, fatigue or delay allowance

(PFD Allowance) physical exertion, personal needs 10-20 % of NT

ii.

Contingency Allowance (CA) allowance for infrequent or non

repetitive activities such as obtaining special materials,
consultations 5 % of Normal time

iii.

Process Allowance allowance to compensate himself for enforced

idleness due to nature of operation working on automatic
machines workers forced to sit idle, during part of cycle

47

Time Study
Methods
Time study by Stop Watch
g)

Determine relevant allowances:

Allowances are taken as % of basic or normal time usually

iv. Special Allowance

Interference Allowance given to worker he/ she overseeing 2 or 3

one machine may be idle when worker works on another
machines for short period and allowance loss of production
Periodic activity allowance activities carried out periodically

h)

Determine standard time by adding all relevant allowances

Standard Time = Normal Time + All allowances

48

Time Study
Computation of Standard Time
OT

PRF

PA

RA

CA

SA

POA

NT
ST
AT

49

Synthesis Method
Technique of work measurement for building time required to
do a job at a defined level of performance by synthesising or
totalling elemental time values obtained from previous time
studies on other jobs containing similar elements, or from
standard data or synthetic data or built up time standards
Standard Data is a catalogue of normal or basic time values
of different elements of jobs. Catalogue complied of various
timing of standard elements of motion

Pick activities, and synthesis data from catalogue to get total

time, add allowances and arrive at Standard Time

50

Synthesis Method
Advantages:

Reliable as built-up time values of standard data catalogue

are based on derived data from large time studies
Economical as less time required

Used for estimating labour time for preparing cost estimates

for new jobs, to quote selling prices to customers

51

Synthesis Method
Applications:

To estimate standard time for new jobs

To estimate production time for determining the prices of
products to be sold

Used as basis for designing incentive schemes

52

Analytical Estimating
Used to determine time values for job having long and nonrepititive operations.
Time values are determined by using synthetic data or past
experience work study engineer

When the above is not available estimator to have adequate

experience of estimating, motion study, time study and use of
standard data (synthesised )

53

Analytical Estimating
Procedure:
a)

b)
c)

d)

e)
f)

g)

Find out job details as dimensions, standard procedure to do the

job, job conditions (illumination, high ambient temp. hazardous ,
etc)
Break job into elements
Select time values from standard data catalogue for as many
elements possible
Estimate time values for remaining elements from past knowledge
or experience
Add times to get total Basic or Normal time (for 100% rating)
Add blanket allowance 10 to 20 % of normal time (note here
relaxation allowance is not added to time values of individual
elements. Blanket allowance depends on job type and conditions
Add any other allowance if applicable to arrive at standard time

54

Analytical Estimating
Advantages:
1.

Offers same advantage as synthesis method

2.

Helps in planning and scheduling production

3.

Provides basis for fixing labour rate for non repititive jobs

Dis advantages:
1.

Relies upon judgment of estimator, hence study may not be reliable

as estimates by stop watch method

55

Analytical Estimating
Application:
1.

2.

For non repetitive jobs, long cycle times and jobs with elements of
variable nature, such jobs stop watch becomes uneconomical

For repair and maintenance work, job production, one time large
projects, routines, tool room jobs and engineering construction
works

56

Predetermined Motion Time System (PMTS)

Normal time or Basic times are established for basic human motions
and these time values are used to build up the time for a job at a
defined level of performance
Advantages:
1.
2.

3.

4.

5.

Affords fine analysis and improvement of work method

Basic motions predetermined , computation of Standard time is
faster and more economical than time study using stop watch
Offers precise means of recording time, avoiding subjective
judgement or bias of rater
Offers no interference to normal work routine, less resistance from
workers
More effective and economical tool repetitive jobs of short
duration

57

Predetermined Motion Time System (PMTS)

Dis Advantages:
1.
2.

Such standards are not available for each and every human activity
Limited to inhibited work in its application (i.e work for which is not
restricted by the process)

3.

Limited application for non-repetitive and office activities

4.

Fairly long period, expert guidance use technique

58

Predetermined Motion Time System (PMTS) - types

Methods Time Measurement (MTM)
Predetermined time value of therbligs are established in TMUs (Time
Measurement Units)
1 TMU = 10 hour or 0.00001 hr or 0.0006 minutes or 0.036 seconds
Listed in tables and can be applied for use
Applications: Used for
1.

Developing effective methods in advance of beginning production

2.

Improve existing methods

3.

Establishing standard time

4.

Estimating labour time and cost

5.

Training supervisors for methods

6.

Choosing between alternative methods

59

Predetermined Motion Time System (PMTS) - types

Work Factor
Technique based on basic motions which are modified elements of
difficulty all of which tend to make movement slower
These features are weights/ resistance. Change of direction, need for
care, stopping a motion and manual control
Each of these features are known as work factors and it modifies the
basic time value

60

Predetermined Motion Time System (PMTS) - types

Basic Motion Times (BMT)
Times derived from laboratory experiments and carefully check against
variety of factory operations before accepted for use
BMT data are basic motions (knock 2 motions)
Basic motions classified finger, hand and arm motion, foot and leg
motions and misc body motions
Class A motions stopped w/o muscular control by impact with object
Class B motions stopped entirely by muscular control
Class C stopped by muscular both slow down motion and end it
grasping or placing action
61

Work Sampling or Activity Sampling or Ratio-Delay Method

Randomly samples work of one or more employees at periodic
intervals to determine proportion of total operations that is accounted
for in one particular activity
Used to estimate percentage of time spent by employees in avoidable
delays (ratio delay studies), repairing finished products from an
operation, supplying material to an operation

62

Work Sampling or Activity Sampling or Ratio-Delay Method

Uses:
1.

2.
3.

Estimate % of protracted time period consumed by various activity

states of a resource such as equipment, machine, operator
To determine allowances for Standard time inclusions
To indicate nature of distribution of work activities with a gang
operations

4.

To indicate how materials handling equipments are being used

5.

To estimate % utilization of groups of similar equipments

6.

To provide basis for indirect labour time standards

7.

8.

To determine productive and non productive utilization of

administrative staff operations
Determine standard time for repetitive operation as an attention to
stop watch method
63

Work Sampling or Activity Sampling or Ratio-Delay Method

Procedure:
1.

Work Study engineer takes number of observations at random times

records precisely what workr or machine is doing (working/ idle) at
time of observations

2.

No stop watch used

3.

Objective fine frequency of occurrence of every work element

4.

Technique based on laws of probability

5.

P = x / N = no of observations of activity/ total no of observations

6.

To set standard necessary to level or rate the performance of

operator studied to count actual number of observations made.
Higher number of observations, greater is the occurrence
64

Work Sampling or Activity Sampling or Ratio-Delay Method

Steps:
1.

Determine objective of study

2.

Plan sampling procedure

1. Estimate % of time being devoted to each phase of activity
2. Setting accuracy limits
3. Estimation of number of observations required
4. Selection of length of study period and programming the number of reading over
period
5. Establishment of mechanics of making observations, route to follow and recording
of date

3.

Collect data

4.

Process data and present results

65

Work Sampling or Activity Sampling or Ratio-Delay Method

Advantages:
1.

Economical to use , usually costs less than continuos time study

2.

Can be used to measure many activities that are impractical

3.

Not necesaary to used trained work measurement analyst

4.

May be made with pre determined degree of reliablity

5.

Measures the utilization of people and equipment directly

6.

Eliminates use of stop watch for measurements

7.

Providing observations over sufficiently long period of time to

decrease the chances of day to dayh variation affecting the results

66

Work Sampling or Activity Sampling or Ratio-Delay Method

Dis Advantages:
1.

It is of little value in helping to improve work methods and does not

aoffer opportunity for methods analysis

2.

Statistical work sampling may not be understood by workers

3.

If random sampling not done results may be biased

67

68