Taif University College of Engineering

WORK STUDY
8053203-3

Lecture Notes
Draft

Industrial Engineering Program

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 WORK STUDY Course ID 8053203-3

Lecture [8]

Work Measurement
(Time study).

(How much time a job should take for completion).

work measurements Techniques

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 How to apply time study?

Systematic Approach
(Procedure )
for carrying out

work measurement
(Time study)

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 Procedure for carrying work measurement

• (1) Select the job/operation to be studied/analyzed and Define objective of the study
• (2) select operator (worker) to be studied
• (3) Obtain and record all the information available about all small work elements
• (4) Breakdown the selected operation into small defined work elements.
• (5) Examination of the collected data about each element
• (6) Measure the time taken for each element
• (7) assess performance rating
• (8) Calculation of basic time
• (9) Determine allowances ( relaxation and personal )
• (10) Calculate the standards time for the operation.

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 Procedure for time study design (work measurement)
•

Let us study each of

these steps
separately one by one

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Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study

• (1) Select the job/operation to be studied , analyzed and Define

objective of the study.

• The selection of the job is very important, because, the time study is consuming a lot
of time, labour and resources
• Selection of job for Time study is always done after method study.

Some possible reasons/situations, a job is selected for time study:

• (1) A new job, new component or a new operation.
• ( 2) When new time standard is required.(A change in material or method of work has
been made and a new time standard is required.)
• (3) To check the correctness of the existing time standard. (A complaint has been received
from a worker or workers' representative about the time standard for an operation.)
• (4) When the cost of operation is found to be high.
• (5) Before introducing an incentive scheme. ‫نظام الحوافز‬
• (6) When two methods are to be compared.
• (7) excessive idle times of machine or extremely low output of machine
• (8) an operation appears to be a bottle neck
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Procedure for carrying work measurement

• (2) SELECT OPERATOR (WORKER) to be studied , if there

are more than operator doing the same job

Selection of the worker for time study

• The Selection of the worker for time study is very important because:
• If the worker is not smart or well equipped , well trained with the method , the worker
will take long time
• The worker should be selected in such a way that HE GOT a certain qualities, so work
study can be conducted successfully

Worker qualities
• (a) have necessary skill for the job
• (b) Have sufficient experience with the given method on the job
• (c) be an average worker as regards the speed of working
• ( d) be temperamentally suited to the study
‫مزاجي‬
• (e) have knowledge about the purpose of study
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Procedure for carrying work measurement

(3) Obtain and record ALL the information available about work
elements, the job, the operator and the working conditions likely to affect
the time study work.
 The collection of ALL the relevant information from DIRECT OBSERVATION
is important.
 Incomplete information may make a study practically useless a few months after
• it has been made.

The following information are recorded

• (1) About the product-name, product-number, specification.
• (2) About the machine, equipment and tools.
• (3) About the working condition-temperature-humidity-lighting
 etc. These information are used when deciding about the allowances.
• (4) About the operator name-experience-age etc.
 This is needed for rating the operator.
Check for the ‘pre-specified’ method
• Sometimes operators might not follow the pre-specified method in carrying out their jobs.
 operators might be using different tools, speeds, feeds temperature-conditions etc. or
some additional element of the work.
• This must be checked BEFORE undertaking the time study. 1-8
Procedure for carrying work measurement

(4) Breakdown the selected operation into small defined work

elements convenient for timing.

• for easy observation and accurate measurement , After recording all the
information, the job/operation must be broken down (divide ) into its
reasonable small work elements, convenient for timing. each element timed
separately

 Timing a complete task as one element is generally NOT satisfactory

 operation is divided into a number of elements

 An element : is an instinct part of a specified activity composed of one or
more fundamental motions selected for convenience of observation
‫مميز‬
measurement, analysis and timing (Practically, an element it must be :distinct
& timetable)
 This is done for easy observation and accurate measurement.
 The elements are grouped as constant element, variable element, occasional
element, man element, machine element etc.
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Components of work measurements
(4) Breakdown the selected operation into small work elements convenient for timing.

Why to Breaking a Job into Elements

• It is necessary to break down a task (job) into elements for the
following reasons:
(1) To separate productive time and unproductive time.
(2) To assess the rating of the worker more accurately.
(3) To identify the different types of elements and to measure their
timings separately.
(4) To determine the fatigue allowance accurately.
(5) To prepare a detailed work specification.
(6) To fix standard time for repetitive elements , such as switch on
or switch off of machine .

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(4) Breakdown the selected operation into small work elements convenient for timing.

Classification of elements
‫العنصر الحاكم‬

1-Manual element 2- Machine element 3- Governing element

‫ من حين آلخر‬/‫عنصر عرضي‬

4-Foreign element 5- Machine element 6- Occasional element

7-Variable element 8- Repetitive elements 9- Constant element

A repetitive element is an element which occurs in every work cycle of the job.
 Example : Loading the machine, locating a job in a fixture

An occasional element does not occur in each work cycle of the job, but which
may occur at regular or irregular intervals. .
 Example: Regrinding of tools, machine setting. re-setting of tools.

Constant element, the basic time remains constant whenever it is performed. .

 Example Switching on the machine, switching off the machine.

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(4) Breakdown the selected operation into small work elements convenient for timing.

Classification of elements

A variable element is an element for which the basic time varies in relation to
some characteristics of the product, equipment or process, e.g. dimensions,
weight, quality etc.
 Example (1) push trolley of parts to next shop.
(2) Saving a log of wood-time changes with diameter or the work.

Foreign element It is an element which is not a part of the job.

 Example Cleaning a job that is to be machined.

Manual element It is an element performed by the worker.

 Example Cleaning the machine, loading the machine.

Machine element It is the element automatically performed by a power driven

machine.
 Example Turning in a lathe using automatic feed.

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 (4) Breakdown the selected operation into small work elements convenient for timing.

General rules (guidelines) to be followed in breaking down

a task into elements

• (1) Element should have a definite beginning and ending.

• (2) An element should be AS SHORT AS POSSIBLE so that it can be
conveniently timed.
 The shortest element that can be timed using a stop watch is 0.04
minute. (less than this is difficult to measure using top watch)
• (3) Manual elements and machine elements should be separately timed.
• (4) Constant element should be separated from variable elements.
• (5) Occasional and foreign elements should be timed separately.

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Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study

(5) Examination of the collected data

 each element to find out whether they are effective or wasteful.
 Elements are also examined whether they are done in the correct method

(6) Measure the time taken for each element by means of e.g. a stop
watch, taken by the operator to perform each small work elements of the
operation..

 Time the operator for each of these work elements,

 Record the data for a few number of cycles on the study observation sheet
 This measurement has to be done for a number of times.
 Define the number of observation to be taken for each work element so as to achieve
confidence and desired accuracy in obtained calculations

• The number of observations depend upon

• (a) the type of operation,
• (b) the accuracy required and
• (c) time for one cycle.

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 The two methods of time measuring with a Stop Watch
(1) Fly back method
(2) Continuous or Cumulative method. (it is preferable method)
 The time measured from the stop watch is known as observed time.
(1) Fly back method
• Here the stop watch is started AT the beginning of the first element. At the end of
the element the reading is noted in the study sheet (in the WR (watch reading)
column). At the same time, the stop watch hand is snapped back to zero. This is done
by pressing down the knob, immediately the knob is released. The hand starts moving
from zero for timing the next element. In this way the timing for each element is
found out.

(2) Continuous method

• Here the stop watch is started at the beginning of the first element. The watch runs
continuously throughout the study.
• At the end of each element the watch readings are recorded on the study sheet. The
time for each element is calculated by successive subtraction. The final reading of
the stop watch gives the total time.
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Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study
‫تقييم‬
(7) Assess performance rating:
that is assess : the operators effective speed of work relative to the
observer’s concept of ‘normal’ speed..
‫مغامل التقييم‬

• Assess the rating factor

• Rating is the measure of efficiency of a worker.
• The operator performance and rating is judged/assessed by the time
study man based on
 his own concept of standard of performance
 by comparing his speed of work with standard performance.
 in consultation with the supervisor.
 The standard rating is taken as 100.
 If the operator is found to be slow, his rating is less than 100 say 90.
 If the operator is above average, his rating is more than 100, say 120.
 So if the operator performance is rated by the time study man as 100 %
then operator is working at a speed at which he should work according to the
standard of the work study man
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 (7) assess performance rating: that is assess : the operators effective speed of work relative to the
observer’s concept of ‘normal’ speed..

Normal Performance

• There is no universal concept of Normal Performance. However,

it is generally defined as the working rate of an average qualified worker, working
under capable supervision but not under any incentive wage payment scheme.

 This rate of working is characterized by the fairly steady exertion of reasonable effort,
and can be maintained day after day without undue physical or mental fatigue.
.‫ بحيث يمكن الحفاظ عليه يو ًما بعد يوم دون إجهاد بدني أو عقلي ال داعي له‬، ‫بذل جهد معقول إلى حد ما و بثبات‬

The level of normal performance differs considerably from one company to

another.
 What company A calls 100 percent performance, company B may call 80
percent, company C may call 125 percent and so on.

 It is important to understand that the level that a company selects for normal
performance is not critical but maintaining that level uniform among time
study person and constant with the passage of time within the company is
extremely important.
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 ‫تقييم األداء‬ ‫مغامل التقييم‬

Performance Rating AND Rating Factor

‫وتيرة‬
– It is the pace of the actual work being done as a percentage of the standard pace of
doing the same work.
 Rating is the measure of efficiency of a worker.

Performance Rating is the procedure in which the time study engineer compares the
performance of operator(s) under observation TO the Normal Performance and
determines a factor called rating factor

‫ و بناءا على‬.‫ ينجز العمل بشكل متوسط ام عامل سريع او عامل بطيء‬average one ‫نقوم بتقييم أداء العامل للتعرف هل هو‬.
‫ معامل الضرب هو‬. ‫تقيمنا للعامل ( مدى سرعته او بطئه في العمل) نستخدم معامل ضرب للوصول الى مستوى العامل المتوسط‬
‫ و يتم حسابة كما في المعادلة اسفله‬rating factor ‫ال‬

 During the time study, time study engineer carefully observes the performance of the operator.
 This performance seldom conforms to the exact definition of normal or standard.
 Therefore, it becomes necessary to apply some 'adjustment' to the mean observed time to arrive
at the time that the normal operator would have needed to do that job when working at an
average pace.
 This 'adjustment' is called performance rating.

Performance Rating =
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 • Before further
studying calculations
Let us study the next
short steps for
calculating standard
time 1-19
 Direct time time study procedure
(in short for solving some problems)

• (1) define and document the new ( modified/standard) method

• (2) divide the job/task into small measurable precise work elements
• (3) decide how many time to measure each element/task
• (4) obtained the average observed time ; by measuring each time
element

• (5) rate the worker performance rating factor ( e.g. 90% , 70%. 120%)
• (5) obtain normal (basic ) time :

• Normal time = Average Observed time * Rating factor

• (6) calculate the total normal time for the task by adding up all normal
time of each element
• (7) calculate and apply allowances factor
• (8) calculate the standard time
standard time = normal time *(1 + allowances ) 1-20
 Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study

(8) Calculation of basic time :

Basic (normal ) time is the time taken by an operator of standard

performance to perform a job (rating of 100).
 man whose work is observed, may be a slow worker or a fast worker. His
rating may be less than 100 or above 100.
 The observed time cannot be taken as the basic time

• Observed time :It is the ACTUAL time for each element observed by
using a stop watch

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Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study
(8) calculation of basic time :

Example :calculate the basic time

• Assume that observed time for an operation is 0.7 min.
• The rating of the operator is found to be 120.
• calculate the basic time
Recall that :
The operator‘s rating is found out by comparing his SPEED of work with standard
performance.
 The rating of an operator is decided by the work study man in consultation with the
supervisor.
 The standard rating is taken as 100.

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Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study
8) calculation of basic time :

Example : understanding what it means :

• The basic time (0.20 minutes in the example) represents the time the work
elements would take to perform (in the judgment of the observer) if the
operator were working at the standard rate, instead of the faster one actually
observed.

• If the operator was judged to be working more slowly than the standard, a
basic time less than the observed time would be arrived at, for example:

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Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study

(8) calculation of basic time :

Calculating basic time for Constant Element
• the basic time remains constant whenever it is performed. .
• There are various methods of examining and selecting the representative
basic time for a constant element.
• Perhaps the most common by making a straight average of the element
times arrived at, adding all the calculated basic times together and
dividing the total by the number of occasions on which the element was
recorded.
• For Example:
• During a time study made on the operation of inspecting and covering a
book, one element was described as: “Pick up one book, inspect, initial
at end of paper (break point: book closed)”.

• This element was observed 31 times, and the basic minutes calculated
were as shown below:
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 (8) calculation of basic time :

Calculating basic time for Constant Element

• It will be seen that one figure has been ringed — the basic time of 0.49 minutes which
arose when a faulty book was come across, examined and rejected.
• Excluding this figure, the total of the remaining 30 basic times is 7.97 minutes,
which yields an average of 0.266 minutes per occasion.
• At this stage in the study the figure 266 would be entered on the study summary sheet
and be carried to the analysis of studies sheet; but at the end of the calculations for the
element, the basic time finally selected would be rounded off to the nearest two
figures — in this case 0.27 minutes.
• The excess work observed in observation (0.49 - 0.27 = 0.22) would be carried down
to the contingencies record. 1-25
Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study

(9) Determine allowances ( relaxation and personal )

• ALLOWANCE It's time allow the worker to recover from fatigue and to
attend the personal needs
• A worker cannot work all the day continuously. Personal time allowance -
4% - 7% of total time - work will require time for rest going for toilet,
drinking water etc.
• Delay allowance - based upon actual delays that occur Unavoidable delays
may occur because of tool breakage etc.
• Fatigue allowance - to compensate for physical or mental strain, noise level,
tediousness, heat and humidity, assumption of an abnormal position, etc
• So some extra time is added to the basic time. The extra time is known as
allowance.

The work content of a job or operation is defined as :

Basic time + relaxation allowance + any allowance for additional work

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 (9) Determine allowances ( relaxation and personal ) [Various types of allowance include
Rest and personal allowance, Process allowance, Policy allowance ]
The difficulty experienced in preparing a universally accepted set of exact allowances that can
be applied to every working situation anywhere in the world is due to various reasons. The most
important among them are:
(1) Factors related to the individual. If every worker in a particular working area were to be
considered individually, it might be found that a thin, active, alert worker at the peak (top) of
physical condition required a smaller allowance to recover from fatigue than a fat, incompetent
(unskilled) worker.
(2) Factors related to the nature of the work itself. Many of the tables developed for the calculation
of allowances give figures which may be acceptable for light and medium work in industry but
which are inadequate when applied to operations involving very heavy and exhausting work, such
as work beside furnaces in steel mills.
• Examples of these factors are:
 whether a worker has to perform the work standing up or sitting down, and position during
work;
 whether force has to be used to move or carry loads from one place to another; whether the
work itself results in excessive eye or mental strain, and so on.
(3) Factors related to the environment. Allowances, in particular relaxation allowances, have to be
determined with due regard to various environmental factors such as heat, humidity, noise, dirt,
vibration, lighting intensity, dust, wet conditions, and so on.
• Each of these will affect the amount of relaxation allowances needed. Environmental factors may
also be seasonal in nature.
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(9) Determine allowances ( relaxation and personal ) [Various types of allowance include
Rest and personal allowance, Process allowance, Policy allowance ]

• In addition to including relaxation allowances, short rest pauses could

be added over the period of work for an operator.
• Start-up / shut-down allowance
• Cleaning allowance
• Tooling allowance
• Set-up / change-over allowance
• Reject / excess production allowance
• Learning / training allowance
• Policy allowance is an increment, other than the bonus increment,
applied to standard time to provide a satisfactory level of earning for
certain level of performances under exceptional conditions.

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ALLOWANCE

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Procedure (Steps) for carrying Time Study

(10) Calculate the standards time for the operation for the
defined job or operation

• The standard time (also known as allowed time) is the sum of basic
time and allowances.
• The standard time is obtained by adding the all allowances: (1) Rest and
personal allowance or relaxation allowance. (2) unavoidable delay
allowance.(3) Contingency allowance. (3) Special allowance
• Example let us look at the standard time

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 Example

• Find the standard time

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 THANK YOU

ANY
QUESTIONS?

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 Recommended sources

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1607AMNKcTM
• Anupam Kumar Reader SMS Varanasi. Email:
[email protected]

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