WORK MEASUREMENT

TIME STUDY

By: Mudit M. Saxena

M. Tech. ( Industrial Engineering )

WORK MEASUREMENT OR TIME STUDY

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

DEFINITION BY BRITISH STANDARD INSTITUTION:

"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."

OBJECTIVES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

The objectives of work measurement are to
provide a sound basis for:

Comparing alternative methods.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Assessing the correct initial manning (manpower requirement

planning).

Planning and control.

Realistic costing.

Financial incentive schemes.

Delivery date of goods.

Cost reduction and cost control.

Identifying substandard workers.

Training new employees.

3

TECHNIQUES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

For the purpose of work measurement,

work can be regarded as:
1. Repetitive work: The type of work in which the
main operation or group of operations repeat
continuously during the time spent at the job. These
apply to work cycles of extremely short duration.
2. Non-repetitive work: It includes some type of
maintenance and construction work, where the
work cycle itself is hardly ever repeated identically.

VARIOUS TECHNIQUES OF
WORK MEASUREMENT
Time study (Stop Watch Technique),
Synthesis,
Work sampling,
Analytical estimating,
Predetermined motion and time study.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

TECHNIQUES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

TIME STUDY
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Time study:
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 analyzing the data so as to
determine the time necessary for carrying out the
job at the defined level of performance.

TECHNIQUES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

SYNTHETIC DATA
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Synthetic data:
A work measurement technique for building up
the time for a job or parts of the job at a defined
level of performance by totaling element times
obtained previously from time studies on other
jobs containing the elements concerned or from
synthetic data.

TECHNIQUES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

WORK SAMPLING
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Work sampling is a technique in which a large

number of observations are made over a period of
time of one or group of machines, processes or
workers.
Each observation records what is happening at that
instant and the percentage of observations
recorded for a particular activity, or delay, is a
measure of the percentage of time during which
that activities delay occurs.

PREDETERMINED MOTION
TIME STUDY (PMTS)
It is a work measurement technique whereby
times established for basic human motions
(classified according to the nature of the motion
and conditions under which it is made) are used
to build up the time for a job at the defined level
of performance. The most commonly used PMTS
is known as Methods Time Measurement (MTM).

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

ANALYTICAL ESTIMATING

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

It is a work measurement technique, being a

development of estimating, whereby the time
required to carry out elements of a job at a
defined level of performance is estimated partly
from knowledge and practical experience of the
elements concerned and partly from synthetic
data.

10

WORK MEASUREMENT TECHNIQUES

AND THEIR APPLICATION

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

11

STEPS IN MAKING TIME STUDY

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Stop watch time is the basic technique for

determining accurate time standards. They are
economical for repetitive type of work.

12

STEPS IN MAKING TIME STUDY

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Steps in Making the time study:

1) Select the work to be studied.
2) Obtain and record all the information available about the job, the
operator and the working conditions likely to affect the time study
work.
3)Breakdown the operation into elements. An element is a distinct
part of a specified activity composed of one or more fundamental
motions selected for convenience of observation and timing.
4) Measure the time by means of a stop watch, taken by the operator
to perform each element of the operation. Either continuous method
or snap back method of timing could be used.
5) At the same time, assess the operators effective speed of work
relative to the observer's concept of "Normal" speed. This is called
performance rating.

13

STEPS IN MAKING TIME STUDY

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

6) Adjust the observed time by rating factor to obtain normal

time for each element
Normal time = ( Observed time x Rating) / 100
7) Add the suitable allowances to compensate for fatigue,
personal needs, contingencies, etc., to give standard time for
each element.
8) Compute allowed time for the entire job by adding elemental
standard times considering frequency of occurrence of each
element.
9) Make a detailed job description describing the method for
which the standard time is established.
10) Test and review standards where necessary.

14

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

15

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

SELECT (SELECTING JOB FOR TIME STUDY)

Change

in the method of existing time

standard.
Complaint

received from workers or unions

regarding the time standard.
A

particular operation becomes bottle-neck

operation which holds up number of sub
sequent activities.
Change

in the management policy

regarding how time standards are used, i.e.,
General purpose or wage incentive plans.

The general
guidelines for
selecting the job for
time study:
Bottle-neck operations.
Repetitive jobs.
Jobs using a greater deal
of manual labour.
Jobs with longer cycle
time.
(Sections/department
frequently working
overtime.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

The reasons for which time study may be

done:
The job in question is new one or not
previously carried out.

16

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

OBTAINING AND RECORDING INFORMATION

The

accuracy of time standards

depends upon the correctness of the
method employed by the operators.
So wrong methods should not be
timed. The method is to be standard
and the time required to carry out the
job as per the standard method is to
be timed.
selection of an operator refers to
choosing an operator amongst many
operators doing the same job. He
should be a representative worker
with a normal pace neither too fast nor
too slow. So the details of the operator
is essential to be recorded before
starting actual time study.

Information to enable the

identification details such as.
Part number and name,
machine No. speed and feed,
materials, operator details,
etc.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

During this step, all the relevant

and
necessary
information
regarding the method, operator
and details of working conditions
are recorded:

Working conditions under

which an operator carries out
the job like temperature, dust,
smoke, vibrations, noise, etc.

The

Working position such as

standing, sitting, bending,
etc., and weights handled,
protective clothing, etc.

17

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

OBTAINING AND RECORDING INFORMATION

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Breaking the Jobs into Elements

Once the recording of the basic information regarding
the job and, operator are done, the next step is
breaking job into elements.
Element is a distinct part of a specified job selected
for convenience of observation, measurement and
analysis.
Work cycle is a complete sequence of elements
necessary to perform a specified activity or job to
yield one unit of production. It may also include the
elements which do not occur with every cycle.
18

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

OBTAINING AND RECORDING INFORMATION
Reasons for Breaking the Jobs into Elements
To ensure that productive time is separated from unproductive activities (separating
effective time and ineffective time).

To permit the rate of performance to be assessed more accurately than would be

possible if the assessment were made over a complete cycle.

To enable different types of elements to be identified and distinguished so that each

element is given an appropriate treatment.

To ensure elements involving a high degree of fatigue to be isolated and to make

the allocation of fatigue allowances more accurately.

To enable the detailed work specification to be produced.

To enable machine elements to be distinguished from 'human' elements.

To enable time standards to be checked or modified at later date, omissions and

errors to be rectified.

For accuracy of rating.

To enable time values for frequently recurring elements, such as the

loading/unloading of jobs into fixture, machine adjustment to be extracted and used
in the compilation of standard data.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

19

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

OBTAINING AND RECORDING INFORMATION

A repetitive element is an element which occurs in every work cycle of

the job. Examples, Picking up part for assembly, element of locating a
work piece in a holding device.

An occasional element is one that does nor occur in every work cycle of
the job or which may occur at regular intervals. Examples, tool changing
after sometime, adjusting tension or machine setting, instruction from
supervisor. Occasional element is useful work to be included in standard
time.

A constant element is an element for which the basic time remains

constant whenever it is performed. Examples, Switch on machine,
measure diameter, insert cutting tools.

A variable element is an element for which the basic time varies in

relation to some basic characteristics of the product, equipment or
process. Examples, Dimensions, weight, quality, etc.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

TYPES OF ELEMENTS

20

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

OBTAINING AND RECORDING INFORMATION
A manual element is an element performed by a worker.

A machine element is an element automatically

performed by a power driven machine. Examples, Press
working parts, annealing tubes.

Governing element is an element occupying a longer time

than that of any other element which is being performed
concurrently example Gauge dimensions while turning
diameter (turning diameter will be a governing element).

A foreign element is one that is observed during study but

do not form part of the given activity of the cycle. Example,
Dropping work on the floor, operator talking to his col
league.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl.

Engg.)

21

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

OBTAINING AND RECORDING INFORMATION
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Guidelines for Breaking Jobs into Elements

Elements

should be easily identified.

Each element should have a definite beginning and end.
Manual elements should be separated from variable
elements.
Occasional elements should be timed separately.
Elements should be as short as can be conveniently
timed by a trained observer.
Elements should be chosen so that they represent
naturally unified and recognizably distinct segments of
the operation.
22

EXAMPLE OF STANDARDIZED ELEMENT BREAKDOWN

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

23

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

OBTAINING AND RECORDING INFORMATION
How Many Cycles to be Timed ?
The

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

number of cycles through which any

particular job should be observed varies directly
as the amount of variations in the times of the
elements of the job.
The number of cycles to be observed will
depend on the degree of accuracy desired. This
in turn will depend on the length of run of the
job and the number of people engaged on it.
The study should be continued through a
sufficient number of cycles to ensure that occa
sional elements such as handling boxes of
finished parts, periodical cleaning of machines,
etc., can be observed several times.
Where more than one operator is engaged on
the same job it is preferable to take a short
study on each of several operators rather than
timing too long on a single operator.
The number of observations at 95% confidence
level and accuracy of 5 per cent is given by
the statistical formula

24

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

MEASURE

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

(Measure) Duration of Each Element

When elements have been selected, the next step is starting the timing
of operations. There are two principal methods of timing with the stop
watch: (a) Cumulative timing, and (b) Fly back timing.
In cumulative, 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 not stopped until the whole study is completed. At the end of each
element the watch reading is recorded and individual element times are
obtained by successive subtractions after the study is completed.
In fly back timing, the hands of the stop watch are returned to zero at
the end of each element and allowed to start immediately, the time for
each element is obtained directly.
While recording the time of the elements, operators speed of working is
assessed and recorded on the observation sheet. Rating is the time
study engineers assessment of the operator's pace of working in
relation to the concept of standard or normal. Rating is used to convert
observed time into normal time.

25

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

EXTEND

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Extend Observed Time into Normal Time

The representative time established from the
observation data is the time which an operator has
taken while working at a certain pace.
The observed time is converted into basic or normal
time by multiplying it by rating factor.

26

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

DETERMINE
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Determine relaxation and other allowances

Normal times of elements added together give
normal time for the operation. But this will not
be equal to standard time as the operators cannot
work continuously. Some additional time is added to
normal time to arrive at the standard time. The
additional time is needed to:
To provide the operator to attend to his personal
needs (relaxation allowances).
Interference allowances.
Contingency allowance.
Policy allowance.

27

STEPS IN TIME STUDY

COMPUTE

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Calculate Standard Time for the Job

The various allowances are added to the normal
time as applicable to get the standard time. Thus
basic constituents of standard time are:
Elemental (observed time).
Performance rating to compensate for difference in
pace of working.
Relaxation allowance.
Interference and contingency allowance.
Policy allowance.
28

TIME STUDY EQUIPMENTS

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Basic time study equipment required to make the time study are:
(I) Time study board, (2) Stop watch, and (3) Time study forms.
Time

study board: Time study board is simply a flat board, usually of plywood
or of any suitable plastic sheet and it should have fittings to hold a stop watch
and time study forms. The use of board provides support and resting face
while writing observations on the shop-floor and makes the hands free to
write and operate stop watch.

Stop

watch: Stop is the measuring instrument to observe the elemental

timings and usually a decimal watch is used.

Time

study forms: Time study forms are usually printed forms of standard size.
The use of standard forms is desirable as the constant information, such as part
number and part name, operation description, observers name and other
description are pre-printed on the top of the form which eliminates the possibility
of any details being missed. As the size of, the forms are standardized they can
be easily filed for future referencing.

29

SELECTION OF WORKER FOR TIME STUDY

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

The worker selected should be skilled and should have a

good temperament. His pace of performance should be
close to the average so that observed times are near to the
normal times.
When a large number of workers are working on the job, it
is a good policy to take studies on more than one qualified
worker.
The distinction is made between a qualified worker and
representative worker. A representative worker is one
whose skill and performance is the average of the group
under consideration. A representative worker may not be
necessarily be a qualified worker.

30

SELECTION OF WORKER FOR TIME STUDY

PERFORMANCE RATING
Performance rating is the process of adjusting the actual
pace of working of an operator by comparing it with the
mental picture of pace of an operator working at normal
speed.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

A Qualified Worker as Defined by ILO

A qualified worker is one who is accepted as having the
necessary physical attributes, who possesses the required
intelligence and education; and who has acquired necessary
skill and knowledge to carry out the work in hand to
satisfactory standards of safety quantity and quality.
The time study man should not make any attempt to time
the operative without his knowledge from a concealed
position or with the watch in the pocket.

31

TIME STUDY SHEET

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

32

PERFORMANCE RATING

Each worker by nature has different

temperament and attitudes towards the
work. Some workers by their nature are
fast (above the speed of the average
worker) and some are by nature slow.
Both these workers will not represent a
normal worker.

Variation in the quality or other

characteristics of the material used even
though it is in prescribed tolerance limit.

Changes in the operating efficiency of tools

and equipment within their useful life.
Unavoidable changes in methods or
conditions of operations.

Change in working conditions like heat,

light, dust, etc.
33

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Factors Affecting Performance

Rating
There exists a variation from element to
element and even among the elements
in the same operation. This is due to the
inconsistency in the speed of the
working of the operator.

The variation in actual times for a particular

element may be due to the factors both
internal and external. The external factors
which are not in control of work study man
are:

FACTORS WHICH ARE WITHIN CONTROL (INTERNAL FACTORS)

(1)
(2)
(3)
(4)

Speed rating,
Westing house system of rating,
Synthetic rating, and
Objective rating.

(1) Speed rating: In this technique the speed of the movements of the
operator is the only factor considered for performance rating. The speed
rating is found by the observer by comparing pace of operators working with
his own concept of normal pace. An average worker is rated at 100%, better
than average worker is rated at a figure higher than 100 and below average
worker will be rated below 100. If a worker is rated at 125% it means that
the speed is 25% higher than the observers concept of normal and rating of
80% means the worker is working 20% below the observers concept of a
normal worker.
34

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Acceptable variation, in the quality of the product.

Variation due to operators ability.
Variation due to his attitude of mind.
The various methods of performance rating are:

WESTING HOUSE METHOD OF

RATING

1. Skill 2. Effort 3. Consistency,

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

(2) Westing house system utilises a set of criteria to measure

the performance of the operators.
The factors are:
4. Conditions

I. Skill: Measures the workers proficiency in adhering to a given method, coordination of

proper hand and eye movements, rhythm of the movements. The skill has been classified into
six degrees, each degree indicating a specified class of skill within which an operator performs
the task.

2. Effort: Measures the speed with which the skill is applied. The effort is also divided into six
degrees.

3. Consistency: Measures factors which affect the consistency of the operator to perform the
work cycle repeatedly within the same time. Elements which affect the consistency are
variations in materials, hard spots, presence of foreign elements. Consistency is subdivided
into six classes.

4. Conditions: Measure the extent to which the conditions like temperature, vibrations, light
and noise affect the operator's performance.

35

WESTING HOUSE METHOD OF RATING

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

The Westing house system of

classification of skill, effort,
consistency and conditions
are shown in Table.
As per this system, the time
study observer assign rating
for a criteria of particular.
task. Numerical values are
than obtained from Table
and
establishes
the
performance
rating
by
adding the four values and
adding the levelling factor to
normalise the observed time.
It is applied to the cycle time
in case of a manual time
rather than to the individual
elemental times.
36

EXAMPLE OF WESTING HOUSE

METHOD

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

37

SYNTHETIC RATING:
Synthetic rating: The performance rating under this method is established

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

by comparing observed time of some of the manual elements with those of

known time values of the elements from predetermined motion and time
studies (PMTS).
The procedure is to make the time study in a usual manner and then
compare the actual time for the elements with predetermined time values
for the same elements.
A ratio is computed between predetermined time value for the element and
actual time value for the element.
This ratio is the performance index or rating factor for the operator for the
particular element. Performance rating factor, (R) is given by

38

OBJECTIVE RATING:

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

In this method, the operator's speed is rated against a

single standard pace which is independent of job
difficulty. The observer merely rates speed of movement
or activity, paying no attention to job itself. After the pace
rating is made, an allowance or a secondary adjustment
is added to the pace rating to take care of job difficulty.
Job difficulty is divided into six classes, and percentage is
provided for each of these factors. The job difficulties as
per the founder of this systemM.E. Mundel have been
categorized into six classes as follows:
1)Amount of body used.
2) Foot pedals.
3)Bi-manual-ness.
4)Eye-hand coordination.
5)Handling requirements.
6)Weight.

39

ALLOWANCES

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

The normal time for an operation does not contain any

allowances for the worker. It is impossible to work throughout
the day even though the most practicable, effective method has
been developed.
Even under the best working method situation, the job will
still demand the expenditure of human effort and some
allowance must therefore be made for recovery from fatigue
and for relaxation.

Allowances must also be made to enable the worker to attend to

his personal needs. The allowances are categorized as:

(1) Relaxation allowance,

(2) Interference allowance, and
(3) Contingency allowance.

40

ALLOWANCES
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Relaxation Allowance
Allow the worker to recover from fatigue.
Relaxation allowance is a addition to the basic time
intended to provide the worker with the opportunity
to recover from the physiological and psychological
effects of carrying out specified work under
specified conditions and to allow attention to
personal needs. The amount of allowance will
depend on nature of the job.
Relaxation allowances are of two types
FIXED ALLOWANCES and
VARIABLE ALLOWANCES.

41

ALLOWANCES

(a) Personal needs allowance. It is intended to compensate the operator

for the time necessary to leave, the workplace to attend to personal needs
like drinking water, smoking, washing hands. Women require longer
personal allowance than men. A fair personal allowance is 5% for menand 7% for women.

(b) Allowances for basic fatigue. This allowance is given to compensate

for energy expended
during working. A common figure considered as allowance is 4% of the
basic time.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

FIXED ALLOWANCES:

VARIABLE ALLOWANCE
Variable allowance is allowed to an operator who is working under poor
environmental conditions that cannot be improved, added stress and
strain in performing the job.
The variable fatigue allowance is added to the fixed allowance to an
operator who is engaged on medium and heavy work and working under
abnormal conditions. The amount of variable fatigue allowance varies
from organisation to organisation.

42

ALLOWANCES
INTERFERENCE ALLOWANCE
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

It is an allowance of time included into the work content of the job to compensate the
operator for the unavoidable loss of production due to simultaneous stoppage of two
or more machines being operated by him.
This allowance is applicable for machine or process controlled jobs.
Interference allowance varies in proportion to number of machines assigned to the
operator. The interference of the machine increase the work content.

CONTINGENCY ALLOWANCE
A contingency allowance is a small allowance of time which may be included in a
standard time to meet legitimate and expected items of work or delays, the precise
measurement of which is uneconomical because of their in frequent or irregular
occurrence.
This allowance provides for small unavoidable delays as well as for occasional minor,
extra work.
Some of the examples calling for contingency allowance are:
Tool breakage involving removal of tool from the holder and all other activities to insert
new tool into the tool holder.
Power failures of small duration.
Obtaining the necessary tools and gauges from central tool store. Contingency
allowance should not exceed 5%.

43

ALLOWANCES

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

44

ALLOWANCES

The policy allowance as defined by ILO:

"A policy allowance is an increment, other than bonus
increment, applied to a standard time (or to some
constituent part of it, e.g., work content) to provide a
satisfactory level of earnings for a specified level of
performance under exceptional circumstances. Policy
allowance are sometimes made as imperfect functioning
of a division or part of a plant."

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Policy Allowance
Policy allowances are not the genuine part of the time
study.
The usual reason for making the policy allowance is to
line up standard times with requirements of wage
agreement between employers and trade unions.

45

COMPUTATION OF STANDARD TIME

Standard time is the time allowed to an operator to
carry out the specified task under specified conditions
and defined level of performance.
The basic constituents of standard time are as shown.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

46

WORK SAMPLING

Work sampling is a fact finding tool.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Work sampling is defined as:

"A technique in which a statistically competent
number of instantaneous observations are taken,
over a period of time, of a group of machines,
processes or workers.
Each observations recorded for a particular activity
or delay is a measure of the percentage of time
observed by the occurrence."

47

WORK SAMPLING

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Work sampling has three main applications

Activity and delay sampling: To measure the activities
and delays of workers or machine. e.g., the percentage of
time in a day, a person is working and the percentage that a
person is not working.
Performance sampling: To measure working time and
non-working time of a person on a manual work, and to
establish a performance index or performance level for a
person during his working time.
Work measurement: Under certain circumstances, to
measure a manual task, that is, to establish a time
standard for an operation.

48

PROCEDURE FOR CONDUCTING A

WORK SAMPLING STUDY
Steps involved in making sampling study:
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Decide on the objective of the study: It is very important to first set the
objectives of study as the duration of the study, number of observations, the design
study sheet and elemental breakdown depends upon the objective.
Obtain the approval of the supervisor of the department in which work study is to be
conducted. Make sure that the operators to be studied and the other people in the
department understand the purpose of the study. Obtain their cooperation.
Decide upon work and delay elements: Work and delay elements represent the
headings under which the observations are to be recorded. The nature of the work
and delay elements differ from company to company depending upon the objective of
the study and the work.
Decide upon the duration of the study: The duration of study depends upon the
objective, number of observers, the accuracy desired and the frequency of occurrence
of the activity.
Determine the desired accuracy of results: This may be stated as the standard error
of a percentage or desired accuracy. The confidence level is also to he stated.
Make a preliminary estimate of the percentage occurrence of the activity or delay to
be measured.

49

DESIGN OF WORK SAMPLING STUDY

1. Determination of Required Number of Observations

The number of observations depends upon:

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Activity percentage (P)

Limits of accuracy (A)
Confidence level (C)

Number of observations at a confidence level of 95% is given

by

50

SETTING PERFORMANCE STANDARDS

WITH WORK SAMPLING
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Procedure to develop performance standards:

Taking

the study: A work sampling study is carried out for the operation whose standard time
is to be determined. Observations are made at random intervals of time and are noted.
Whether subject under study is working or idle are noted. Reasons for delays and interruption
are recorded.

The

observations of production activity (working) are divided into machine working and hand
working. Operators pace of performance is noted down when manual working is observed.

Rating

index: Individual performance ratings are averaged out to obtain an overall rating

index.
Production

quantity: Number of pieces produced during the period of study are determined
from production reports.

Overall

time per unit(Ta): It is calculated by dividing production time (duration of study) by

number of pieces produced.

Effective

time per unit (Te): Overall time per piece includes even the time spent on un
productive activities. Overall time is multiplied by percentage of productive activities to get the
effective time per piece.

51

PROCEDURE TO DEVELOP PERFORMANCE STANDARDS:

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

52

EXAMPLE OF CALCULATION OF STANDARD TIME

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

53

CONTROL CHARTS IN WORK SAMPLING

Control charts are used in work sampling to continuously keep
track of particular activity.

A chart is employed where the proportions of activities obtained

from work sampling are represented as a function of time. The
points in the chart gives the idea of the trend and the presence
of out of control condition if exist.

An investigation is made if the point falls outside the control

limits. Control chart is useful aid to a. work sampling man.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

54

ADVANTAGES OF WORK SAMPLING

COMPARED TO TIME STUDY
Many operations or activities which are impractical or costly to
measure by time study can be measured by work sampling.
A simultaneous work sampling study of several operators or
machines may be made by a single observer.
It usually requires lesser man-hours and costs less to make a
work sampling study instead of making a continuous time study.
Observations may be taken over a period of days or weeks thus
reducing the chances of day-to-day variations affecting results.
Any interruption during study will not affect the results.
Work sampling measurements may be made with a pre-assigned
degree of reliability.
Work sampling studies are preferred to continuous time studies
by the operators being studied.
C A stop watch is not needed for work sampling studies
Work sampling studies cause less fatigue and are less tedious.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

55

DISADVANTAGES OF WORK SAMPLING

Work sampling is uneconomical for short cycle jobs.
It is also uneconomical for studying a single workman
or even small group of workmen or machines.
Time study permits a finer breakdown of activities
and delays than is possible with work sampling study.
Workman may change their normal pattern of
working on seeing the observer, making the sampling
study of very little value.
Insufficient observations are likely to produce
inaccurate results.
It does not normally account for speed of the operator.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

56

SYNTHETIC DATA

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

A work measurement technique for building up

time for the job at a defined level of performance
by totaling elemental times obtained previously
from time studies on other jobs containing the
elements concerned, form synthetic data.

57

SYNTHETIC DATA

Advantages
Although synthesis was originally developed to establish the work content for
short batch production and jobbing work, it can be used in place of time
study to determine times for many other types of work including repetitive
work provided necessary data is available.
The main advantage of synthesis is the reduced cost of application. By
means of synthesis it is possible to establish times, which are equally
satisfactory for planning and production control purpose.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

The steps involved in synthetic data:

Collect all the details about the job (dimensions, tools, methods, conditions).
Analyse jobs into constituent elements (activity grouping to enable synthetic
elements to be applied if relevant).
Select appropriate basic times from synthetic data covering contingent
factors.
Select and apply synthetic data covering contingent factors.
Verify details of elemental analysis for job method and condition.
Total the basic times, rating and allowances to compute standard time for the
job.

58

PREDETERMINED MOTION TIME ANALYSIS (PMTS)

A standard time for a job or an operation may be established by time study, by
work sampling or by the use of predetermined times.

A predetermined time system consists of a set of time data and a systematic

procedure which analyses and subdivides any manual operation of human task
into motions, body motions, or other elements of human performance, and assigns
to each the appropriate time value.

This system of time data was originally developed from extensive studies of all
aspects of human performance through measurement, evaluation and validation
procedures.

Predetermined times are the tabulated values of normal times required to perform
individual movements such as moving an arm from one position to another, etc.

The total times needed to perform the operation is the sum of the times needed for
basic motions. By arranging the basic motions and
aggregating associated times, an existing task can be analysed or a proposed
operation can be timed without actually performing it.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

59

PREDETERMINED MOTION TIME ANALYSIS

(PMTS)

Each system has its own specific rules and procedures which must
be followed exactly.

Most PMTS do not include allowances, so these are added as in

stop watch study.

At the time of application of PMTS for the first time in a company

the adjustment should be made if necessary, in order to match
company's performance level which is one time activity.

PMTS can be classified as to accuracy level, time required for

application and the extent of method description.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Factors to be Considered While Using PMTS

Application of PMTS requires that an operation which is to be
measured is divided into basic motions as per the system selected.

60

PREDETERMINED MOTION TIME ANALYSIS

(PMTS); TYPES OF PMTS
Methods time analysis (MTA): A. B. Segur stated that the
method must be well defined before an attempt is made to
time-analyse the motions involved.

He developed a table of improvement principles involving

many of his basic motions such as hold, grasp, preposition,
position, avoidable delay and balance delay.

The improvement principle involved here is in the elimination

of the left hand as a holding device.

In MTA, motion values are given up to fifth decimal.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

61

TYPES OF PMTS

WORK FACTOR SYSTEM (WE):

This is first system of PMTS to have a general use with the work factor
system it is possible to determine the work factor time for manual tasks
by the use of predetermined data.

A detailed analysis of each of the task is made based upon the

identification of major variables of work and the use of work factor as a
unit of measure.

Then the standard time from the table of motion values is applied to
each motion.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Four major variables of work factor system are:

Body member.
Distance.
Manual control.
Weight or resistance.
62

This system is applicable to highly repetitive system.

METHODS TIME MEASUREMENT (MTM)

The primary objective of MTM is to improve

methods of operation and it establishes methods
accurately before production starts by determining
correct times and operations.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Methods Time Measurement procedure is defined as:

"A procedure which analysis any manual operation
or method into the basic motions required to
perform it and assigns to each motion a
predetermined time standard which is determined
by the nature of the motion and the conditions
under which it was made.

63

BASIC MOTION TIME STUDY (BMT)

Basic motion time study was developed and is thought
by J.P. Woods and Gordon Limited, Toronto, Canada.
Like other predetermined motion time system, all
manual activity has been divided into basic motions.
A basic motion, according to Woods and Gordon, is
defined as Any motion which starts from rest, moves
through space, and ends at rest
(Type 1) Reach
(Type 2) Move
(Type 3) Turn
The body motion and symbols are very similar to the
body motions employed by MTM. The only difference lies
in the step, where the distance measured is the distance
the foot travels.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

64

ADVANTAGES OF PMTS
Short cycle jobs can be timed accurately.
Rating, the most difficult part of time study is not
necessary.
The results obtained are consistent.
A reasonable estimate of work content can be
obtained before the task is actually carried out.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

65

METHOD TIME MEASUREMENT (MTM)

The objective of MTM is the establishment of tangible, understandable
and acceptable data for the scientific measurement of human effort.
By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Method Time Measurement is defined as:

"A procedure which analyses any manual operation or method into
the basic motions required to perform it and assigns to each motion
a predetermined time standard which is determined by the nature
of the motion and the conditions under which it is made."
USES OF MTM
Developing effective methods and plans in advance of beginning production.
Improving existing methods.
Establishing time standards.
Cost estimating.
Training supervisors to become method conscious.
Research in the areas like operating methods, performance rating.
66

METHOD TIME MEASUREMENT (MTM)

MTM procedure recognizes:

Thus there are nineteen fundamental motions to

be considered in the establishment of any motion
pattern. The time for each of these motions are
determined not only by the physical conditions
involved in the motions performance but also by
the nature of the conditions under which it is
made. Thus, the time for a given motion is affected
by a combination of physical and mental
conditions.
Unit of MTM is TMU. One TMU = 0.0006 minutes.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Eight manual movements.

Nine pedal and trunk movements.
Two ocular movements.

67

METHOD TIME MEASUREMENT (MTM)

Classes of reach: There are five classes of reach. The time to perform a reach is affected by the
nature of the object towards the reach is made.
Case A Reach: to object in fixed location or to object in other hand or on which other hand rests.
Case B Reach: to object whose general location known. Location may vary slightly from cycle to
cycle.
Case C Reach: to object jumbled with other objects in group.
Case D Reach: to very small object or where accurate grasp required.
Case E Reach: to indefinite location to get hand into position for body balance or next move or
out of the way.
The length of a motion is the true path, not just the straight line distance between the two
terminal points.
For example, R 8 C represent Reach 8 inches, case C.
R 12 A represent Reach 12 inches, case A.
The values of TMUS for these symbols are obtained from MTM tables.
Similarly, the details for other symbols:
Move, Turn, Apply pressure, Grasp, Position, Release, Disengage.
Eye motions, Body leg and foot motions are obtained from the MTM tables (published).

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

CONVENTIONS FOR RECORDING MTM DATA

To simplify recording individual MTM methods, a system of MTM. conventions has been
developed. By using this system, every detail of the motion can be easily recorded. For example:
Reach: Reach is the basic element when the predominant purpose is to move the hand or finger
to a destination. The time for making a reach varies with (1) condition (nature of destination), (2)
length of the destination, (3) type of reach.

68

METHOD TIME MEASUREMENT (MTM)

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

MTM VERSIONS
MTM-1 is the most accurate. Provides the most detailed method
detailed description but requires the longest time for analysis.
MTM-2 was developed by constructing motion combinations
from basic motion of MTM-l. The analysis can be done more
quickly than MTM-l.

MTM-3 is the simplest of the MTM systems and is intended for

use with long cycle short run operations.
Speed of analysis is seven times faster than MTM-1.

MTM-3 should not be used for analysing manual motions with a

frequency higher than 10 or sequence of eye motions.
The MTM should be used with caution. A sufficient training is
essential to take up the MTM measurement.

69

"MAYNARD OPERATION SEQUENCE TECHNIQUE"

(MOST)
INTRODUCTION TO "MAYNARD OPERATION SEQUENCE
TECHNIQUE" (MOST)
H.B. Maynard and Company has introduced MOST system and this new
system- was brought into practice in the United States in 1975. It has gained
a wide recognition as a major contribution to the body of Industrial
Engineering.
This techniques has a wide application and can be successfully applied in all
industries ranging from ship building to electronics, automobile, textile.
Application have been made in offices, assembly shops, materials handling,
maintenance and other such operations.
Levels of MOST and their Applications:
Maxi MOST: At the highest level, maxi-MOST is used to analyse operations
that are likely to be performed lesser than 150 times per week. An operation
in this category is less than 2 minutes to more than several hours in length.
Basic MOST: At the intermediate level, operations that are likely to be
performed more than 150 times but lesser than 150 times per week should
be analysed with basic MOST.
Mini MOST: At the lowest level, mini-MOST provides the most detailed and
precise methods analysis. In general, this level of detail and precise is
required to analyse any operation likely to be repeated more than 1500 times
per week.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl.

Engg.)

70

"MAYNARD OPERATION SEQUENCE TECHNIQUE"

(MOST)

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl.

Engg.)

DEFINITIONS:
Operation: It is a job task consisting of one or more work element usually
done essentially in one location or the performance of any planned work.
Sub-operation: A sub operation is desecrate, logical and measurable part of
an operation. The content of such a sub-operation may vary depending on
type of operation requirements and application area.
Time standard: It is the total allowed time including manual time, process
time and allowance that it should take to perform a task or do a job.
Activity: It is defined as the series of logical events that take place when an
object is moved, observed or treated by hand, a tool or transportation device.
Method step: A method step is a descriptive formulation of an activity one
or more steps organised in sequence according to the applied method will
constitute an operation or sub- operation.
Sequence model: A sequence model is a multi-character representation of a
single activity.
Sub-activity: It is defined as discrete sub-division of an activity or sequence
model.
Parameters: It is a character representation of a sub-activity.

71

"MAYNARD OPERATION SEQUENCE TECHNIQUE"

(MOST)

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

Most analysis Most analysis is a computer study of an operation

consisting of one or several methods steps and corresponding sequence
models as well as appropriate parameters time values and total
normal time for the operation or sub-operation.
Consequently only three Basic, Most activity sequence are needed for
describing manual work plus a fourth for measuring the movements of
object with manual cranes.
The GENERAL MOVE SEQUENCE (for spatial movement of an object freely
through air).
The CONTROLLED MOVE SEQUENCE (for the movement of an object
when it remains in control with a surface or it is attached to another object
during the movement). The TOOL USE SEQUENCE (for the use of
common hand tools).

Application of MOST
This technique finds its application for method improvement. It helps
to established the standards and also for determining the production
delays and labour performance index.

72

QUESTION BANK
1.

3.

4.
5.
6.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

2.

Define time study and explain its objectives.

Explain the various steps involved in time
study.
What is performance rating?
Why it is
required to rate the worker? What are different
rating methods?
Explain
the
Westinghouse
method
of
performance rating.
Explain the various types of elements with
examples for each.
Explain the principle techniques of work
measurement and their applications.

73

QUESTION BANK
7.
8.

Explain various timing methods in stop watch study.

Explain the effect of following on standard time:
b)
c)
d)

9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.

Skill of the operator,

Variation in work,
Pace of performance,
Working conditions.

By: Mudit M. Saxena, M. Tech. ( Indl. Engg.)

a)

Why it is necessary to give allowances? What are different types

of allowances? How standard time is computed?
What is the relationship between observed time, normal time
and the standard time?
What is work sampling? What are its merits and limitations?
Where work sampling can be useful in the area of production?
Explain briefly the steps in work sampling study.
How do you determine number of observation to be taken?
Write short notes on:
a)
b)
c)
d)

Synthetic rating and analytical estimating,

Data and analytical estimating,
Predetermined: motion time study (PMTS),
Methods time measurement (MTM),

74