Work study

&
Method study
 Work study

Work study investigates the work

done in an organization and aims at
finding the best and the most
efficient way of utilizing the
available resources (man, material,
money and machinery) to achieve
best possible quality work in
minimum possible time.
• Work study uses techniques like method study and
work measurement to understand human work
potential in terms of time spend on completing a task,
looking at ways to make the task simpler and easy, as
to increase productivity and efficiency.
 Method Study
• Method Study is the systematic recording and critical
examination of existing and proposed ways of doing work, as
a means of developing and applying easier and more effective
methods and reducing costs.
• Can be used to
– the design of a new plant,
– the design of a new product,
– the design of a new process,
– the improvement of an existing process,
– the improvement of an existing workplace
 Objectives of Method Study

1. Improvement of manufacturing processes and procedures.

2. Improvement of working conditions.
3. Improvement of plant layout and work place layout.
4. Reducing the human effort and fatigue.
5. Reducing material handling
6. Improvement of plant and equipment design.
7. Improvement in the utility of material, machines and
manpower.
8. Standardization of method.
9. Improvement in safety standard.
 Approach to Methods Design
Charles E. Geisel States that in order to design a system (method) thoroughly,
eight elements must be considered.

1. Purpose: The function, mission, aim or need for the system.

2. Input: The physical items, people, and/or information that enter the system to
be processed into the output.
3. Output: That which the system produces to accomplish its purpose, such as
finished steel, assembled toasters, boxes, and so forth.
4. Sequence: The steps required to convert, transform, or process the input to the
output.
5. Environment: The condition under which the system operates, including
physical, attitudinal, organizational, contractual, cultural, political, and legal
environment.
6. Human agents: The people who aid in the steps of the sequence without
becoming a part of the output.
7. Physical catalysts: The equipment and physical resources that aid in the steps of
the sequence without becoming part of the output.
8. Information aids: Knowledge and information resources that aid in the steps of
the sequence without becoming part of the output.
 BASIC PROCEDURE FOR METHOD
STUDY

1. Select the work to be studied.

2. Record all facts about the method by direct
observation.
3. Examine the above facts critically.
4. Develop the most efficient and economic
method.
5. Define the new method.
6. Install the new method
7. Maintain the new method by regular checking.
 1. Select
While selecting a job for doing method study, the following factors are considered:
Economical Factors
• The money saved as a result of method study should be sufficiently more. Then
only the study will be worthwhile.
• Based on the economical factors, generally the following jobs are selected.
– Operations having bottlenecks (which holds up other production activities).
– Operations done repetitively.
– Operations having a great amount of manual work.
– Operations where materials are moved for a long distance.
Human Factors
• The method study will be successful only with the co-operation of all people
concerned viz., workers, supervisor, trade unions etc. Workers may resist method
study due to
1. The fear of unemployment.
2. The fear of reduction in wages.
3. The fear of increased work load
Technical Factors
• To improve the method of work all the technical details about the job should be
available. Every machine tool will have its own capacity
 2. Record
• All the details about the existing method are recorded. This is done by
directly observing the work. Symbols are used to represent the activities
like operation, inspection, transport, storage and delay. Different charts
and diagrams are used in recording.
• They are:
1. Operation process chart: All the operations and inspections are recorded.
2. Flow process chart
(a) Man type All the activities of man are recorded
(b) Material type All the activities of the material are recorded
(c) Equipment type All the activities of equipment or machine are recorded.
3. Two-handed process chart: Motions of both hands of worker are (Right hand -
Left hand) chart recorded independently.
4. Multiple activity chart: Activities of a group of workers doing a single job or the
activities of a single worker operating a number of machines are recorded.
5. Flow diagram: This is drawn to suitable scale. Path of flow of material in the
shop is recorded.
6. String diagram: The movements of workers are recorded using a string in a
diagram drawn to scale.
 3. Examine
• Critical examination is done by questioning technique.
• This step comes after the method is recorded by suitable charts and
diagrams.
• The individual activity is examined by putting a number of questions.
• The following factors are questioned
1. Purpose – To eliminate the activity, if possible.
2. Place – To combine or re-arrange the activities.
3. Sequence – -do-
4. Person – -do-
5. Means – To simplify the activity.
 4. Develop
• The answer to the questions given below will result in the
development of a better method.
1. Purpose – What should be done?
2. Place – Where should it be done?
3. Sequence – When should it be done?
4. Person – Who should do it?
5. Means – How should it be done?
 5. DEFINE
• The report should show
(a) Brief description of the old method
(b) Brief description of the new method.
(c) Reasons for change.
(d) Advantages and limitations of the new method.
(e) Savings expected in material, labour and overheads.
(f) Tools and equipment required for the new method.
(g) The cost of installing the new method including.
1. Cost of new tools and equipment.
2. Cost of re-layout of the shop.
3. Cost of training the workers in the new method.
4. Cost of improving the working conditions.
 6. Install
• This step is the most difficult stage in method study. Here the
active support of both management and trade union is
required.
• Here the work study man requires skill in getting along with
other people and winning their trust
• Install stage consists of
(a) Gaining acceptance of the change by supervisor.
(b) Getting approval of management.
(c) Gaining the acceptance of change by workers and trade unions.
(d) Giving training to operators in the new method.
(e) To be in close contact with the progress of the job until it is
satisfactorily executed.
 7. Maintain
• The work study man must see that the new method
introduced is followed.
• The workers after some time may slip back to the old
methods. This should not be allowed.
• The new method may have defects. There may be difficulties
also. This should be rectified in time by the work study man.
• Periodical review is made. The reactions and suggestions
from workers and supervisors are noted. This may lead to
further improvement.
• The differences between the new written standard practice
and the actual practice are found out.
• Reasons for variations are analysed. Changes due to valid
reasons are accepted.
 Process chart
• A process chart is setting out the sequence of
flow of a product or a procedure by recording
all events under review using appropriate
process chart-symbols.
• This chart gives a record of all events
associated with the worker.
– Operation,
– inspection,
– movement and
– delay
 Application-Process charts
• Generally used as a principal means of recording work methods
• Helps to understand the overall nature of the system being studied
• Helps to eliminate flow patterns that are not suitable
• Helps to allow storage space adequate to support the production rate
• Helps to eliminate costly errors by analyzing the material flow
• Helps to allow adequate space to avoid safety problems
• Helps to locate and size aisles appropriate for product handled
• Helps to avoid backtracking of the material
• Helps to identify the possibility of combining operations by grouping
different machines or operations to avoid handling, storage, and delays
• Helps to decide whether product flow or process flow layout of factory
will be useful
 CHARTS FOR PROCESS
1. Outline process charts
2. Flow process chart: man type, material type, equipment type
3. Two handed process chart
4. Multiple activity chart: using time scale
5. Simo chart: using time scale
6. Flow diagrams
7. String diagrams
8. Cyclograph
9. Chronocyclegraph
10. Travel Chart
SYMBOLS USED IN
PROCESS CHARTS

Process charts use five

common symbols for
recording the nature of
events. These were
developed by ASME
(American Society of
Mechanical Engineers)
in 1947.
 Operation Process Chart
• An operation process chart
is a graphic representation
of the sequence of all
operations and inspections
taking place in a process.
• It is also known as outline
process chart.
• It gives a bird‘s eye view of
the overall activities.
• Entry points of all material
are noted in the chart.
• The fig. shows operation
process chart of a motor
assembly unit
Flow Process Chart

There are three types of

flow process charts.
They are
1. Man type flow
process chart
This flow process chart
records what the worker
does.
2. Material type flow
process chart
This flow process chart
records how the
material is handled or
treated.
3. Equipment type
flow process chart
This flow process chart
records how the
equipment or machine
is used.
Flow chart-Operator type
 Two-Handed Process Chart (or)
Right Hand, Left Hand Chart
• It is the process chart in which the activities of two
hands of the operator are recorded.
• It shows whether the two hands of the operator are
idle or moving in relation to one another, in a
timescale.
• It is generally used for repetitive operations.
TWO HANDED PROCESS CHARTS
 Multiple Activity Chart

• In those operations involving the combination of

– a person and a machine,
– a person and several machines,
– any combination of people and machines
• The multiple activity chart provides a convenient technique
for analyzing the combined activity.
• Objectives of this type of analysis are
– to attain the maximum utilization of a machine,
– to attain the optimum person to machine relationship,
– to bring about the best balance of crew activity.
 Man-Machine Chart

• A man-machine chart is a chart in which the activities of more

than one worker or machine are recorded.
• Activities are recorded on a common time scale to show the
inter-relationship. It is also known as multiple activity chart.
• It is used when a worker operates a number of machines at a
time.
• It is also used when a number of workers jointly do a job.
• Activities of workers or machines are recorded in separate
vertical columns (bars) with a horizontal time scale.
• The chart shows the idle time of the worker or machine
during the process.
• To record the time, ordinary
wrist watch or stop watch is
used. High accuracy is not
needed.
• Here one operator two
semi-automatic machines
simultaneously.
• The activities of the
operator is recorded in a
separate vertical column
• The activities of the two
machines are recorded in
two separate vertical
columns.
 SIMO Charts
• A basic motion-time
chart used to show the
simultaneous nature of
motions;
• Commonly a therblig
chart for two-hand work
with motion symbols
plotted vertically with
respect to time,
showing the therblig
abbreviation and a brief
description for each
activity, and individual
times values and body-
member detail.
• Also known as
simultaneous motion-
cycle chart.
 Therbligs
• Therbligs are 18 kinds of
elemental motions used
in the study of motion
economy in the
workplace.

• A workplace task is
analyzed by recording
each of the therblig units
for a process, with the
results used for
optimization of manual
labor by eliminating
unneeded movements.
 Flow Diagram
• In any production shop, repair
shop or any other department,
there are movements of men and
material from one place to
another. Process charts indicate
the sequence of activities.
• They do not show the frequent
movements of men and material.
• If these movement are minimized,
a lot of savings can be achieved in
cost and effort
• The flow diagram are used for the
following purposes:
1. To remove unwanted material
movement.
2. To remove back tracking.
3. To avoid traffic congestion.
4. To improve the plant layout.
 TRAVEL CHART ( or) FROM-TO CHART
• It is a tabular record of quantitative data about movement
of workers/materials/equipment between any number of
places over a given period of time. It is always in the form
of a SQUIRE, having within it the squires.
EACH SMALL SQUIRE REPRESENTS A STATION.
Along the TOP, squires from left to right represent the
stations FROM where movement or travel occurs.
Along those DOWN THE LEFT HAND, the squires represent
the stations TO which the movement is made.
 Principles of Motion Economy
• The principles of motion economy form a set
of rules and suggestions to improve the
manual work in manufacturing and reduce
fatigue and unnecessary movements by the
worker, which can lead to the reduction in the
work related trauma.
• The principles of motion economy can be
classified into three groups:
– Principles related to the use of human body,
– Principles related to the arrangement of the work
place,
– Principles related to the design of tools and
equipment.
 Use of Human Body
• The two hands should begin motions at the same time.
• The two hands should not be idle at the same time except during rest periods.
• Motions of the arms should be made in opposite and symmetrical directions and
should be made simultaneously
• Hand motions should be confined to the lowest classification with which it is
possible to perform the work satisfactorily:
– Finger motions
– Wrist motions
– Forearm motions
– Upper arm motions
– Shoulder motions
• Momentum should be employed to assist the worker whenever possible, and it
should be reduced to a minimum if it must be overcome by muscular effort.
• Smooth continuous motions of the hands are preferable to zigzag motions or
straight-line motions involving sudden and sharp changes in direction.
 Arrangement of the Work Place
• There should be a definite and fixed place for all tools and
materials.
• Tools, materials, and controls should be located close in and
directly in front of the operator.
• Drop delivers should be used whenever possible.
• Materials and tools should be located to permit the best
sequence of motions.
• Arrange the height of the workplace and chair for alternate
sitting and standing, when possible.
• Provide a chair of the type and height to permit good posture.
 Design of Tools and Equipment
• Combine tools whenever possible.
• Preposition tools and materials.
• Where each finger performs some specific
movement, the load should be distributed in
accordance with the inherent capacities of the
fingers.
• For light assembly, a screwdriver handle should be
smaller at the bottom.
• Momentum should be used to help the worker in
doing their task not to increase their task.
 CRITICAL EXAMINATION

• Means by which each activity is subjected to a systematic and

progressive series of questions.
• Grouping of activities: Five sets of activities can be grouped in
two categories
• Those in which something actually happens to the work-piece
(it is moved, worked upon or examined)
• Those in which it is not being touched (in storage or in delay)
• Objective is to maximize proportion of “do” activities.
• All other activities, however necessary, are considered “non-
productive.”
 DEVELOPMENT
• The shortcomings of the present process are brought out by
the systematic questioning process that is combined with a
knowledge relevant to the process being examined.
• Industrial may have the knowledge required or may not have
the adequate knowledge.
• They need to have a knowledge library to support their effort
as well as access to the experts during the study period.
• Alternatives to the current activities which have the
shortcomings are to be generated during this stage.
 IMPLEMENTATION
• Industrial engineers of methods study persons have to train
the operators and their supervisors in the new method and
participate in installing the method.
• Industrial engineers have to conduct a periodic review of
methods to observe modifications brought into the installed
methods by operators and supervisors and if they are
beneficial, they have to be made part of standard operating
procedure (SOP).
 Work measurement
• Work measurement is the application of techniques designed
to establish the time for an average worker to carry out a
specified manufacturing task at a defined level of
performance.
• It is concerned with the length of time it takes to complete a
work task assigned to a specific job.
 Time study
• Time study is a direct and continuous observation of
a task, using a timekeeping device (e.g., decimal
minute stopwatch, computer-assisted electronic
stopwatch, and videotape camera) to record the time
taken to accomplish a task and it is often used when
– there are repetitive work cycles of short to long duration,
– wide variety of dissimilar work is performed, or
– process control elements constitute a part of the cycle.
 Work sampling
There are several recommended steps when starting to prepare a work sampling
study:
• Define the manufacturing tasks for which the standard time is to be
determined.
• Define the task elements. These are the defined broken-down steps of the
task that will be observed during the study. Since a worker is going to be
observed, additional categories will likely be included as well, such as "idle",
"waiting for work", and "absent".
• Design the study. This includes designing the forms that will be used to record
the observations, determining how many observations will be required,
deciding on the number of days or shifts to be included in the study,
scheduling the observations, and finally determining the number of observers
needed.
• Identify the observers who will do the sampling.
• Start the study. All those who are affected by the study should be informed
about it.
• Make random visits to the plant and collect the observations.
• After completing the study, analyze and present the results. This is done by
preparing a report that summarizes and analyzes all data and making