Frequently Asked Questions about

Time Study, Time and Motion Study, Work Sample

 

1. Is there a software application for time study or work measurement on the market?

No, there is not an application to perform the study for you, nor to plug in information and generate work measurement results. The variables in operations, across many businesses and functions, are different, as are the methods, work and its requirements, materials, specifications, work flow. Direct observation of work is required.

There are increasingly more software apps to allow you to use either I Phone or Droid smart phones to take time studies; some seems to be quite professional.

There are several work measurement techniques; time study, work sample, predetermined times for instance which have different characteristics and capabilities.

2. Is there a simple way for untrained, inexperienced people to perform successful time study and work measurement?

A person who is qualified to perform time and motion study is a professional, who has been trained and who has practiced application.

Time study is not a simple process. Please look at http://jacksonproductivity.com/TStechnical.htm for a summary of the many factors that apply. A person who would perform time study successfully must be aware of all these factors, to recognize which will be involved in any particular measurement project, and choose the correct approach.

Work measurement is a statistical process; operators to be studied have different training and skill; they will react differently. Only an experienced observer will be able to develop an accurate set of time values to define and quantify normal, expected operating times.

Training may be available in your area from a school or company; organizations may train their employees, or individuals may train themselves. My company offers free time study information as well as an Amazon book, Time and Motion Study, What, Why, and How-To. please see http://jacksonproductivity.com/TSguide.htm. Interestingly enough, U. S. colleges are dropping time study from their programs, which to me is mystifying because as the book states, "the time the job takes is arguably the most important fact for a business to know."

Once trained, a person must practice to develop the skill to perform reliable time study. Because time study relates to the work of people, it is very visible and sensitive; errors in work measurement can be unpleasant.

3. Can a consultant recognize the differences in operations?

Yes, an experienced consultant can successfully apply work measurement techniques, which tend to be similar across different businesses, functions and technology.

4. What are the most important benefits from work measurement?

a. Expectations. Work measurement quantifies objectively what should be expected of an individual, or team, or work group, or process.

b. Reporting. Reporting of actual performance compared to objective expectations provides a benchmark, an understanding of how an operation is doing, and a basis for planning any corrective action necessary.

c. Balance of work. It is possible to balance workloads, based on objective timestudy, to equalize the amount of work and to even the flow of materials. Balance individuals, progressive assembly lines, equipment. Recognize constraints.

5. What improvement is typically expected after work measurement and reporting?

My experience indicates that unmeasured work is usually about 60% productive. When an objective expectation is engineered, the previous performance against that rate generally was about 60%.

6. Is all of the low performance because people are not working hard?

No, although that occurs. Work measurement will also point out potential savings where time is lost; because of constraints elsewhere; improper balance of assignments; delay for materials, or direction, or a previous step; machine downtime; low quality or rework; poor scheduling; poor methods and insufficient training; inadequate documentation; etc. This waste, once identified, can be corrected.

7. Can work measurement resolve contested situations, differences of opinion?

Yes. There may be a difference of opinion about workloads between union and management, or just an internal difference in a company which objective work measurement by an outside consultant can define.

8. Is work measurement just for the production floor?

Not at all. Time study, time and motion study, work sampling, and methods study are just as effective in the office, the lab, the maintenance shop, the field, customer service, and the warehouse as on a production floor. Just about anywhere your organization had a presence.

9. Are incentive systems useful to increase motivation and performance?

Yes. From my experience, incentives are effective motivators because most people go to work for money in the first place, and incentives offer an opportunity for them to increase their pay by their own efforts both physical and mental.

Incentives also cause a company to pay closer attention to labor performance, to measure it and relate it not only to costs but also to output, and calendar performance, and customer service, and capacity. Good performance in these factors will benefit the company balance sheet, P&L, and corporate image.

Good company performance will also motivate employees subjectively because people want to feel that their contribution matters.

10. How can JPR assist to measure work?

JPR consults at your location, measures work, identifies improvements, creates reporting mechanisms. JPR will also train operators on site, both classroom and on-the-job experience.

JPR will observe a contested situation, a difference of opinion, and provide an independent, objective quantification.

A web page may inform, but it can't match generalities to your particular circumstances. So contact me; I'll be glad to answer your specific inquiry, and to discuss how work measurement principles can benefit your organization. There's no cost or obligation.

JPR offers free guides relating to work measurement, as well as the Amazon book, Time and Motion Study, What, Why, and How-to.. Please click the link to the left to learn more.

Jack Greene at 843-422-1298, or email jack@jacksonproductivity.com