WORK MEASUREMENT

WORK STUDY
 Work measurement :
• Work measurement attempts to find out “ How long
it ought to take to complete a given job.”
 DEFINITION :
• “Work measurement is the application of techniques
designed to establish the time for a qualified worker
to carry out a specified job at a defined level of
performance.”
• For measuring any work, it is necessary to know
certain details (specification) such as
 Amount of work involved
 Method of work and
 Standard of performance required.
• Method study is the principle technique for reducing the
work involved, primarily by eliminating unnecessary
movement on the part of material or operatives and by
substituting good methods for poor ones.

• Work measurements is concerned with investigating,

reducing and subsequently eliminating ineffective time,
that is time during which no effective work is being
performed, whatever may be the cause.

• Work measurement, as the name suggests, provides

management with a means of measuring the time taken in
the performance of an operation or series of operation in
such a way that ineffective time is shown up and can be
separated from effective time.
• In this way its existence, nature and extent become
known where previously they were concealed within
the total time.

• Once the existence of ineffective time has been

revealed and the reasons for it tracked down, steps
can be taken to reduce it.

• Work measurement not only reveal the existence of

ineffective time; it can also use to set standard times
for carrying out the work, so that, if any ineffective
time does creep in later, it will immediately be shown
up as an excess over the standard time and will thus
be brought to the attention of the management.
OBJECTIVES AND USES OF TIME STUDY :
1. To determine the standard time of a job.
2. Compare time required by alternative methods of doing
a job.
3. Examine a given job critically and subsequently to
eliminate or reduce ineffective time.
4. Determine staff and equipment requirements.
5. Determine the number of machines an operator can
operate.
6. Balance the work of operators working in a group.
7. Make effective use of people, plant and equipment.
8. Provide basis for production, planning and scheduling.
9. Provide information for estimating tenders and delivery
schedules.
10. Recommend a sound incentive scheme.
 BASIC PROCEDURE OF WORK MEASUREMENT
• SELECT – the work to be studied.
• RECORD – all the relevant data relating to the
circumstances in which the work is being done, the
methods and the elements of activity in them.
• EXAMINE – the recorded data and the detailed
breakdown critically to ensure that the most
effective method and motions are being used and
that unproductive and foreign elements are
separated from productive elements.
• MEASURE – the quantity of work involved in each
element, in terms of time, using the appropriate
work measurement technique.
 COMPILE - the standard time for operation, which in
the case of stop watch time study will include time
allowances to cover relaxation, personal needs, etc.
 DEFINE – precisely the series of activities and method
of operation for which the time has been compiled
and issue the time as standard for the activities and
methods specified.
 It will be necessary to take the full range of steps
listed above only if a time is to be published as a
standard.
 When work measurement is being used only as a tool
of investigation of ineffective time before or during a
method study, or to compare the effectiveness of
alternative methods, only the first four steps are likely
to be needed.
WORK MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES
Following are the principle techniques by which work
measurement is carried out

 Stop watch time study

 Continuous method
 Snap back method

 Work sampling

 Synthesis from standard data

 Predetermined time standard (PTS) or
Predetermined motion time system (PMTS)
 Work factor system(WFS)
 Motion time measurement (MTM)
 Basic motion time study (BMTS)
Analytical Estimating
• Irrespective of the method selected to determine
the time required to perform any operation it is an
important requirement that the best method to
perform a given job must be decided first. Thus the
method study should always precede the work
measurement.
TIME STUDY
• Time study is defined as a work measurement
technique for recording the times and rates of
working for the elements of a specified job carried
out under specified condition, and for analysing the
data so as to obtain the time necessary for carrying
out the job at a defined level of performance.

 BASIC TIME STUDY EQUIPMENTS :

1. Stop watch :
2. Study board :
[Link] study forms :
a) time study top sheet
b) continuous sheet
c) short cycle study sheet
d) working sheet
e) study summary sheet
f) analysis of studies sheet
g) relaxation allowances sheet
[Link] :
[Link] :
6. Measuring instruments such as tape, steel rule, micro
meter, spring balance and tachometer (to ensure
rotational speed and such other items relevant to and
useful for the particular type of work being measured).
Stop watch :

• Usually three types of stopwatches are used for

performing time study.
i. The fly back type
ii. The non-fly back type
iii. The split hand stop watch

• All the above types may have any one of the

following three graduation in them.
1. Recording one minute per revolution with the
smallest graduation of 1/5th of a second with a small
hand recording 30 minutes.
2. Recording one minute per revolution with the
smallest graduation of 1/100th of a minute with a
small hand recording 30 minutes.
3. Recording 1/100th of an hour per revolution with
the smallest graduation of 1/10,000th of an hour,
with a small hand recording 1 hour.
 Selecting a job for time study :
The need of the time study may arise due to any one of
the following reasons :
1. To establish standard time required for manufacture
of a new product.
2. When an existing method of manufacture is altered
due to substitution of better material, method or
process.
3. To compare alternative methods of manufacture,
define and standardise the best method for a
production programme.
4. To collect information regarding manufacturing time
for the introduction of a sound incentive scheme.
5. When a complaint is received from the representative
of workers requesting a modification in the standard
time issued due to existing tight time standard, which
cannot be attained.
6. A particular operation appears to be a “bottleneck”
holding up subsequently operation and possibly
through (accumulations of work in progress behind
it) previous operations.
7. A piece of equipment appears to be idle for an
excessive time or its output is low, and it therefore
becomes necessary to investigate the method of its
use.
8. The cost of a particular job appears to be excessive.
 Selection of operator for time study :
• The ideal practice is to select a qualified worker for
determining the standard time for the job under
study.
 Qualified worker
• A qualified worker is one who has the necessary
physical attributes, posses required knowledge and
education, is familiar with the time study procedures
and practice, is motivated, has cooperative spirit and
has the required skill and training to produce the job
to the defined standard of quality and quantity.
• The rating of such a worker is taken as 100%
• But it is difficult to find such a person always for time
study.
• The present-day practice is to select an average or
representative worker for time study, record the time
taken to do the job by using stop watch and in
addition, rate his performance while working.

• The selection of a very fast or slow worker should be

avoided as far as possible because in first place the
performance rating is difficult. Secondly if fast
workers are selected for time study, average workers
may feel that the standard time issued will be difficult
to be met because of their belief that the observed
time values are directly used for issue of standard
time as they are not aware of the adjustment of
observed time by rating.
Recording of information :
• Before commencing a time study all information to
identify the part studied, machine used, operator
analyst, working conditions etc. should be entered in
the time study sheet and after completion of study it
should be properly filed for future reference.

• This is very essential when data of the study is

required at a later date. In the absence of proper
recording and filling, the details of study cannot be
traced, making it worthless after some time.
• The essential information which should be recorded in
a time study sheet is as follows:

A. A study sheet should record the study number, sheet

number and the date of study for proper filling of
study.
B. For identification of the part, part number, drawing
number of the part and specification of material
used. If space is available a sketch of the part should
be drawn.
C. The process of manufacture, the personnel involved, the
information regarding the place of study, machine used
(this should include the make, serial number and capacity
of machine) speed, feed and other setting information,
identification of jigs, fixtures and any other equipment
used at the time of study, name of the operator with his
ticket number. (this is necessary as many times two
operations are having the same names, name of analyst
and the person who approves study should be entered in
the time study sheet.)
D. Other information which should be recorded in the study
sheet is the time of starting study, time when the study
was completed, the elapsed time, the number and make
of stopwatch used and working conditions at the time of
study. (working conditions: temperature, humidity,
adequacy of lighting).
• Representative worker:

• A representative worker is one who has skill and

performance level equalling to the respective
averages of the group of workers performing the
same job, such a worker need not be a qualified
worker.
 Basic steps in time study:
• The following eight steps contribute the time study
process excluding the selection of the job for the
worker which has to be done before the steps in the
list are taken up.
1. Obtaining and recording all the available information
about the job, operator and the surrounding
conditions likely to affect the execution of the work.
2. Recording the complete description of the method,
breaking down the operation into elements.
3. Examining the detailed breakdown to ensure the
most effective method and motions are being used,
and determining the sample size.
4. Measuring with a time device (most commonly a
stop watch) and recording the time taken by the
operator to perform each element of the operation.
5. At the same time, assessing the effective speed of
working the operator relative to the observer’s
concept of the rate corresponding to the standard
rating.
6. Extending observed time to basic times.
7. Determine the allowances to be made over and
above the basic time for the operation.
8. Determine the standard time of the operation.
 Elements:
• The BSI defines element as a distinct part of a
specified job selected for convenience of
observations, measurements and analysis.
 Repetitive element: a repetitive element is an
element which occurs in every work cycle of the job.
 Occasional element: an occasional element is an
element which does not occur in every work cycle of
the job, but which may occur at regular or irregular
intervals.
 Constant element: it is an element for which the
basic time remains constant whenever it is
performed.
 Variable element: it is an element for which the basic
time varies in relation to some characteristics of the
product, equipment or process, e.g. dimensions, weight,
quality etc.
 Manual element: it is an element performs by the worker.
 Machine element: it is an element automatically performs
by a power-driven machine (process).
 Governing element: it is an element occupying a longer
time than that of any other element which is being
performed concurrently.
 Foreign element: it is an element observed during a study
which after analysis, is not found to be a necessary part of
the job.
• A work study man should be conversant with these
elements and should be able to distinguish them in any
operation.
Breaking an operation in to elements:
• The reason for breaking an operation into elements is
to separate the unproductive activity from the
productive activity.
• Improve accuracy in rating. During a cycle of
operation, the operator may not be working
consistently. He may be working faster sometimes
and slower other times. The rating of individual
elements will be more realistic than the rating of a
complete cycle in such cases.
• Identify different types of elements for appropriate
treatment. e.g. a foreign element which has nothing
to do, such activity can be identified and eliminated.
 Isolate elements in order to give appropriate fatigue
allowances consistent with the level of fatigue involved
in its operation.
 To facilitate checking the method so that the
subsequent omission or insertion of elements may be
detected quickly. This may become necessary if at a
future date the time standard for this job is queried.
 To enable a detailed work specification to be
produced.
 To enable time values for frequently recurring
elements, such as the operation of machine controls or
loading and unloading work piece from fixtures to be
extracted and used in compilation of standard data.
Conventions for choice of elements:

• Ease of working, uniformity in procedures and the

future use of data collected are some of the factors
which governs the choice of an element.
• Each element should have a definite beginning and
end point. These are known as break points.
• For convenience of working the break point should
be such that they can be easily recognised by sound
or vision.
e.g. Starting a machine tool, commencing a cut,
hand releasing and assembled component are
examples of break points which can be recognised by
sound.
• If it is not possible to recognised break point by sound,
vision may be used but the break point should be
precisely recognised otherwise one element will
overlap in to other.
• Manual elements should be separated from the
machine elements. Theoretically calculated times of
machine elements like automatic feed incorporated
machining at fixed speeds can be used as a check on
stop-watch data. The manual time elements are
normally completely within the control of the worker.
• Constant elements should be separated from variable
elements.
• Occasional and foreign elements which do not occur in
every cycle should be timed separately.
• The duration of the element should be such that it can
be conveniently recorded, too short elements are
difficult to be recorded while too long elements cannot
be rated accurately.
• It is known from experience that the shortest elements
which can be conveniently recorded is 0.04 min. It is
however good practice not to choose an element which
is shorter than 0.1 min.
• In case where the element is long, the rating should be
done at the interval of 0.33 min. (20 seconds)
• Once the operation is broken down into elements and
each element properly defined, any deviation which
may creep in the method of working specified can be
easily traced and corrective measures can be taken.
 Determination of sample size/or number
of readings:
Practical approach:
• The number of cycles to be studied in a particular
case depends on the time of the cycle (i.e. Total time
for completing the job) and the nature of operation.
The variation is from 200 observations for a short
cycle less than 0.10 min to about 5 cycles for cycle
time of about 40 minutes.
• General recommendations regarding number of
observations with respect to the cycle time.
 Minutes per cycle Recommended no of cycles to be
(T) observed
T<＝0.10 200
0.10 <T<=0.25 100
0.25 <T<=0.50 60
0.50 <T<=0.75 40
0.75 <T <=1.00 30
1.00 <T <=2.00 20
2.00 <T <=5.00 15
5.00 <T <=10.0 10
10.00 <T <=20.00 08
20.00 <T <=40.00 05
40.00 <T 03

• The values given above are intended only as a guide to

initiate time study work. The actual number of
observation required for the desired accuracy can be
verified by the use of statistical method.
Statistical method:
• While applying the statistical method, a number of
preliminary readings (n’) are first taken. Subsequently,
the number of observations (i.e. The sample size)
required to reach the set confidence and accuracy level
can be calculated,
• For example, for 95% confidence level and an accuracy
level of ± 10% the following formula is used.
2
 
 x   x
' 2 2
 20 n 
n 
 x 
 
Where,
n’ is the determined sample size,
Σ x is the sum of the preliminary set of individual
observations of the preliminary set of readings.

• Here, 95% confidence level and +10% error means

that the chances are at least 95 out of 100 that the
sample mean or the average value for the element
will not be in error more than ± 10% of the true
element time.
 2
k 
 x   x
' 2 2
S n 
n 
 x 
 

Where,
k = a factor for achieving the desired level of
confidence ;
• the value of k are 1.00 , 1.96 , 2.00 and 3.0 for 68.27
% , 95 %, 95.45 % and 99.73 % confidence level.
S = desired relative error / accuracy.
• The statistical method however posses some practical
difficulties in its application acceptance like.

1) The method is cumbersome.

2) It is difficult to determine the best sample size for an

operation, since the operation usually consists of
several elements each of which may be required to
be observed for different number of times for any set
of confidence and accuracy level .

3) Ensuring the holding of the assumptions inherent to

the statistical method formulation.
Procedure for using stop watches
• There are three common methods of using stop
watches for time study.

1. Fly back or snap back or repetitive timings.

2. Cumulative or Continuous timing method.

• The above two methods are widely used. The third

one is known as ,

3. Differential timing.
Cumulative Timing :
• In Cumulative timing method the watch runs
continuously throughout the study. It is started at the
beginning of the first element of the first cycle to be
timed and is stopped only after the study is completed.
The purpose of this procedure is to ensure that all
the time during which the job is observed is recorded in
the study.
• Cumulative timing has the significant advantages that
even in the event of missing an element or non-recording
of some occasional element it does not have any effect
on the overall time.
• However, cumulative timing calls for spending on more
time in determining individual element timing which can
be only obtained after performing a subtraction
operation.
Fly Back Or Snap Back Timing

• In snap back method of time measurement, the stop

watch is started at the beginning of each element of
an operation, the reading is observed at the end of
the element, watch is snap back to zero and allowed
to run for measurement of time of the next element.
The observed reading is recorded on study sheet,
while the watch is running.
• This Procedure is repeated for each element in the
operation till the desired number of cycles of
operation is observed.
• As the elemental times are recorded directly on the
time study observation sheet, no computations are
required to obtain elemental times.
This method however suffers from the following
drawbacks.
• Lowry, Mayanard and Stegemerten have shown
through laboratory experiments that during snap back
the hand remains stationary for a period varying from
0.00003 to 0.000097 hour depending upon the speed
with which the watch is snapped back. Thus there is
an average error of 0.0038 min. per element observed.
• The percentage error is small for longer elements and
greater for shorter elements.
• Once the element times are established, in first cycle
of operation, there is a tendency on the part of
observer to anticipate values and record time
irrespective of break points.
• Further, the time study observer has to rate each
element. The direct time values recorded by this
method may influence the observer in assessing the
rating of the element.
• The ILO missions experiences in training in applying
time study indicates that in general cumulative timing
should be taught and used. Such an indication is based
on the following reason:
a) Reasonable accuracy level can be attained by the
trainees more quickly if they use cumulative timing.
b) The overall time of the study does not get affected
even if element times are occasionally missed by
inexperienced observations.
c) Automatic inclusion of foreign elements and
interruptions.
d) In assessing the working pace of the operator (rating),
it is less easy to fall into the temptation to adjust the
rating to the time taken by the element than with the
fly back method, since watch readings and not actual
times are recorded.
e) Worker and their representative are likely to have
greater faith in the trainer of time studies as a basis of
incentives plans if they can see that no time could have
been omitted.

Differential Timing :
• This method is used only when elements are of short
duration and the available equipment for measurement
of time is only a stop watch.
• If the elements are very short and there is not enough
time for the study man to read his watch and make a
recording on his study sheet, then in this situation the
elements are timed in groups.
• First including and then excluding each small elements
and the time for element being obtained subsequently
by subtraction.
• For example, if the job consists of seven short
elements the study man may time numbers 1 to 3, and
4 to 7 for the first few cycles, recording only these two
reading per cycle.
• Then time 1 to 4 and 5 to 7 for a few cycles, and so on.
• If differential timing is applied in this fashion, either
the cumulative or the fly back method of watch
manipulation may be used.