WORK MEASUREMENT/ TIME STUDY.
Definition:
Work measurement is concerned with the determination of the amount of time required to
perform a unit of work.
Work measurement is the process of establishing the time that a given task would take when
performed by a qualified worker working at a defined level of performance.
Work measurement uncovers non-standardization in the workplace as well as non-value-adding
activities. The following reasons explain why work should be measured:
For Identifying and eliminating wasted or ineffective time.
To establish a standard time for measuring performance.
A realistic expectation is to be used to measure performance.
Goals and objectives are set to ensure a successful operation.
Work measurement techniques.
Work measurement involves a variety of techniques. Here are 6 lists of work measurement techniques:
1. Time study/Time-Directed Method
The direct time method determines the time needed to carry out a unit of work. To determine how long
each unit of an operation will take, observation and recording of time are required for each unit of a
process.
2. Synthesis Method
Synthesis is a time measurement technique used to build Standard Times using previous time studies.
Thus, conducting a new time study is unnecessary, so it is economical.
It provides reliable information about how long it will take to complete different tasks. Since it is based
on many past time studies, it is reliable.
3. Analytical Estimating
Analytical estimating is a structured estimation method often used in work measurements, which
analyzes a task in terms of its basic components.
It is economical since it uses standard data when calculating each job’s normal time. Also, it helps in
planning and scheduling production activities.
4. Predetermined Motion Type System(PMTS)
Predetermined motion time systems measure how quickly humans can perform certain manual tasks in
a particular environment.
PMTs are frequently used in labor-oriented industries to determine wage rates, piece rates, and
incentive schemes by measuring the time required to complete certain tasks.
5. Work Sampling or Ratio Delay Methods
The work sampling technique determines the time workers spend in different activity categories.
This technique uses random samples of several employees’ work to determine the overall operation
percentage.
6. Historical Data Method
The historical data method is one of the simplest and most inexpensive ways to measure workplace
productivity.
The use of the historic data method has become one of the standard tools, serving 3 main purposes:
The purpose of this study is to determine how past work impacts current work outcomes.
Modern economic theories can be tested through the use of unique natural experiments.
It is important to use modern economic theories to refine the understanding of historical events.
Steps Involved in Work Measurement
1. Work measurement involves analyzing the size of a task, its method of performance, and
production efficiency.
2. Decompose the job into its components.
3. Measure the elapsed time on the various elements using either time studies, synthesis,
analytical estimation, or other methods.
4. To set up elemental time values, take the observed time and convert it into normal time using
the rating factor.
5. Evaluate the amount of relaxation, physical and mental exhaustion involved in carrying out each
element.
6. Count the time allotted for relaxation when arriving at the work content for each element.
7. Identify the number of times each element occurs in the job, multiply each element’s work
content by its frequency (i.e., how often it appears in the position), and add all the times
together.
8. Contingency allowances should be added if necessary to arrive at the standard time to complete
the work.
Measurement of work helps estimate labor costs. Moreover, it provides information on the estimation
of tenders, the assessment of delivery schedules, and the fixing of selling prices.
TIME STUDY EQUIPMENT
The following equipment are commonly used for conducting time study.
(a) Stopwatch : to record time
(b) Time study board : for affixing time study forms
(c) Time study forms : affixing on board (formats are shown)
(d) Pencils and erasers : for entering values
(e) Calculator : calculating equipment
(0 Measuring tape : measuring equipment for length
(g) Steel rule : measuring equipment for lengths
(h) Micrometer : measuring equipment for small lengths
( i ) Spring balance : measuring equipment for weights
(j) Tachometer : measuring equipment for speed
Objectives of Time Study
To fix standard time required for an operation under normal circumstances
To use standard time data so as to fix a fair incentive wage plan
To avoid abnormal idle time and delay in the execution of job
To create time consciousness in the workers
To control and reduce costs
To set a fair hourly output standard for worker
To improve working conditions.
Steps in conducting time study :
Step 1
Record all the necessary information about the job such as product information
(name of the product, material, quantity, quality requirements), process
information (location of work place, process description, tooling, jigs and fixtures,
layout, speeds and feeds, settings, rate of productions), information about operator
(name, competence, skill, education, experience, etc.), information regarding
working conditions (temperature, pressure, humidity, economical factors, human
factors, lighting, etc.
STEP 2
Record the method by breaking down the operation into elements to ensure most
effective method and sequence of the motions.
STEP 3
Record the skill and competence of the operator to ensure that 'qualified' worker
is allowed to work that is to be timed. A 'qualified worker' is one who is neither
very skilled nor unskilled but an average; neither highly experienced nor
inexperienced, and so on, so that the measurement is made at any normal level
STEP 4
Record the time for each element of the operation with the help of stopwatch or by
any other time measuring device or formula. The process of time taking of the
same element may be repeatedly for pre-determined no. of times and the rate of
the worker is to be compared with preconceived concept of standard rating.
STEP 5
Compute the basic time for each element by taking the average and then compute
the normal time with the formula;
Normal time = Basic time x Rating factor
STEP 6
Determine the allowances to be added to the normal time to determine the
standard time by using the formula;
Standard time =Normal time x Allowances Factor
Timing each Element
Each element is timed by using a stopwatch either in continuous method (cumulative timing) or snap
back method (fly back timing). Although both methods are equally efficient in working, there is a chance
of loss of time in fly back timing while resetting it to zero. Hence the former is supposed to be more
accurate while the latter reduces clerical work and hence the costs. However, the element is
performed several times and the time is recorded. The average of these timings is then c,:calculated to
find the normal time.
Let us now take a numerical example to demonstrate this :
A cycle consisting of five elements in a working cycle has yielded the following timings on the stopwatch
Example
A job has been sub-divided into five elements. The time for each element and
respective rating are given below :
Calculate the normal time and standard time for each element and for the job if the alIowance is 15%
Solution
For Element 1
Normal Time = Observed time x Rating Factor
80
0.7x = 0.56
100
Standard Time = 0.56
Allowance factor
100
= 0.56x =¿ 0.65 min
100− 15
For Element 2
Normal Time
Standard Time
For Element 3
Normal Time
Standard Time
For Element 4
Normal Time
Standard Time
For Element 5
Normal Time
Standard Time
Normal Time of the job (total) = 0.56+0.8+1.56+0.45+1.2= 4.57 min.
Standard Time of the job (total) = 0.65+0.94+ 1.835+ 0.529+ 1.41= 5.36 min.