Introduction to

Time Study
Prepared by:
Engr. George Michael E. Esgana
What is a Time Study?
• In simple terms, a time study is a methodical way to observe and
measure employees' work rate using a timing device.

• Time studies aim to determine how long it takes a qualified worker to

complete a task at a set performance level.

• It provides a standard rate of working, which can be useful in a

manufacturing setting when trying to improve productivity and
optimize the entire plant floor.
Note:
• When done correctly, a time study is a useful tool for managers and
business owners to assess how efficiently work is being done on a
production floor.
• It can also help uncover any hidden flaws or areas of weakness within
the plant that slows down production and leads to delays.
History of Time Study
• The origins of time study can be traced back to the industrial revolution in
the late 18th and early 19th centuries, when manufacturing processes
became increasingly complex and specialized.

• Frederick Winslow Taylor, known as the father of scientific management,

conducted the first time study in the late 1880s, when he was working as a
foreman at the Midvale Steel Company in Philadelphia.

• F. W. Taylor’s purpose in conducting time study was to define “a fair day’s

work”
Note:
• The need for greater efficiency and productivity in factories led to the
development of time and motion studies, which were pioneered by
industrial engineers such as Frederick Winslow Taylor and Frank and
Lillian Gilbreth.
• Taylor observed and analyzed the work methods of the company's
laborers and used the data he collected to develop new, more efficient
work methods that would reduce the time and effort required to
complete a task.
A Fair Day’s Work
• The fundamental principle in industry is that an employee is entitled to
a fair day’s pay in return for which the company is entitled to a fair
day’s work.

• A fair day’s work can be defined as the amount of work that can be
produced by a qualified employee when working at a standard pace
and effectively utilizing her or his time where work is not restricted
by process limitations.
A Fair Day’s Work
• Qualified employee can be defined as a representative average of those
employees who are fully trained and able satisfactorily to perform any and
all phases of the work involved, in accordance with the requirements of the
job under consideration.
• Standard pace can be defined as the effective rate of performance of a
thorough, self-paced, qualified employee when working neither fast nor
slow and giving due consideration to the physical, mental, or visual
requirements of the specific job.
• Effective utilization could be the maintenance of a standard pace while
performing essential elements of the job during all portions of the day
except that which is required for reasonable rest and personal needs.
A Fair Day’s Work
• In general, a fair day’s work is one that is fair to both the company and
the employee.
• This means that the employee should give a full day’s work for the
time that he or she gets paid, with reasonable allowances for personal
delays, unavoidable delays, and fatigue.
• The worker is expected to operate in the prescribed method at a pace
that is neither fast nor slow, but one that may be considered
representative of all-day performance by the experienced, cooperative
employee.
Time Study Requirements
1. Identify whether the standard is required on a new job or on an old job, in which the method or
part of the method has been altered, the operator should be thoroughly acquainted with the new
technique before the operation is studied.

2. The method must be standardized for the job before the study begins. Unless all details of the
method and working conditions have been standardized, the time standards will have little value
and will become a continual source of mistrust, grievances, and internal friction.

3. Analysts should tell the department supervisor and the operator that the job is to be studied.

4. The operator should verify that she or he is performing the correct method and should become
acquainted with all details of that operation.

5. The supervisor should check the method to make sure that feeds, speeds, cutting tools,
lubricants, and so forth conform to standard practice. Also the supervisor should investigate the
amount of material available so that no shortages take place during the study
Analyst’s Responsibility
1. The time study analyst should ensure that the correct method is
being used, accurately record the times taken, honestly evaluate the
performance of the operator, and refrain from any operator criticism.
2. The analyst’s work must be completely dependable and accurate.
Inaccuracy and poor judgment will not only affect the operator and
the company financially, but may also result in loss of confidence by
the operator.
3. The time study analyst should always be honest, tactful, pleasing,
patient, and enthusiastic, and should always use good judgment.
Supervisor’s Responsibility
1. The supervisor should notify the operator in advance that his or her work assignment is
to be studied.

2. The supervisor should see that the proper method is being utilized, and that the operator
selected is competent and has adequate experience on the job. Although the time study
analyst should have a practical background in the area of work being studied, analysts
cannot be expected to know all specifications for all methods and processes.

3. The supervisor should verify that the proper tools and equipment are being used by the
worker.

4. The supervisor should also make certain that operators use the prescribed method,
conscientiously assisting and training all employees in perfecting this method.
Operator’s Responsibility
1. Operators should give new methods a fair trial and should cooperate in helping
to work out any bugs. Every employee should be sufficiently interested in the
welfare of the company to support the practices and procedures inaugurated by
management.
2. The operator should assist the time study analyst in breaking the job down into
elements, thus ensuring that all details of the job are specifically covered. The
operator is closer to the job than anyone else, and she or he can make a real
contribution to the company by helping to establish ideal methods.
3. The operator should also work at a steady, normal pace while the study is being
made and should introduce as few foreign elements and extra movements as
possible. The worker should use the exact method prescribed, as any action that
artificially lengthens the cycle time could result in a too liberal standard.
Time Study Equipment
Stopwatch Time study
board
Time Study Equipment
Time study sheet Pocket
calculator
Time Study Elements
1. Choosing the Operator
2. Recording Significant Information
3. Positioning the Observer
4. Dividing the Operation into Elements
Choosing the Operator
• An operator who is average or somewhat above average in
performance gives a more satisfactory study than a low-skilled or
highly superior operator.

• The average operator usually performs the work consistently and

systematically.

• That operator’s pace will tend to be approximately in the standard

range, thereby making it easier for the time study analyst to apply a
correct performance factor
Choosing the Operator
• The operator should be completely trained in the method, should like
the work, and should demonstrate an interest in doing a good job.

• The operator should be familiar with time study procedures and

practices, and should have confidence in both time study methods and
the analyst.

• The operator should also be cooperative enough to follow through

willingly with suggestions made by both the supervisor and the time
study analyst.
Choosing the Operator
• The operator should have the opportunity to ask questions about the
timing technique, method of rating, and application of allowances.

• In some instances, the operator may never have been studied before.

• The operator should be encouraged to offer suggestions, and when the

operator does so, the analyst should receive them willingly, thus
showing respect for the skill and knowledge of the operator.
Recording Significant Information
• Analysts should record the machines, hand tools, jigs or fixtures, working
conditions, materials, operations, operator name and clock number,
department, study date, and observer’s name.

• When machine tools are used, the analyst should specify the name, size,
style, capacity, and serial or inventory number as well as the working
conditions.

• Dies, jigs, gages, and fixtures should be identified by their numbers and
with short descriptions.

• A sketch of the layout may also be helpful.

Positioning the Observer
• The observer should stand, not sit, a few feet to the rear of the
operator, so as not to distract or interfere with the worker.

• Standing observers are better able to move around and follow the
movements of the operator’s hands as the operator goes through the
work cycle.

• During the course of the study, the observer should avoid any
conversation with the operator, as this could distract the worker or
upset the routine
Dividing the Operation into Elements
• For ease of measurement, the operation should be divided into groups
of motions known as elements.
• If possible, the analyst should determine the operational elements
before the start of the study.
• Elements should be broken down into divisions that are as fine as
possible and yet not so small that reading accuracy is sacrificed.
• To divide the operation into its individual elements, the analyst should
watch the operator for several cycles.
Dividing the Operation into Elements
• To identify endpoints completely and develop consistency in reading
the watch from one cycle to the next, consider both sound and sight in
the elemental breakdown.

• Each element should be recorded in its proper sequence, including a

basic division of work terminated by a distinctive sound or motion.
Suggestions may help in breaking
elements down:
1. Keep manual and machine elements separate, since
machine times are less affected by ratings.
2. Likewise, separate constant elements from variable
elements
3. When an element is repeated, do not include a second
description.
• constant elements - (those elements for which the time does not deviate within a specified range of work)
• variable elements - (those elements for which the time does vary within a specified range of work)