Time and Motion Study
Time and Motion Study
Defined
A method created to determine the correct time it takes to complete a certain task A method to establish the one best way to perform a task
Purposes
To end goofing off and to establish what constituted a fair days work To make sure that the job being evaluated does not include any unnecessary motion by the worker
History
Frederick W. Taylor and his followers developed and refined the Time Study Frank B. Gilbreth and his wife Lillian developed and refined the Motion Study Historically the two studies are discussed individually, today they generally are discussed as one
4
In your Organization
Historically: T&M Studies were used in the manufacturing industry to evolve pay scales with the thought that money was the only motivation for work
Objective
The objective of the Time and Motion Study is to determine a normal or average time for a job, by using observers to record exactly how much time is being devoted to each task.
7
In Action
10
In Action contd
1. Coders/observers training was the 2. Activities were broken down into separate categories, 67 in total 3. The exact number of minutes per task were determined 4. Percentages of time devoted to each task were calculated
11
In Action contd
A total of 13,383 minutes of activities were observed between the 8 residents Residents were involved in 1,726 coded activities These activities averaged 7.75 minutes each with a standard deviation of 14.5 minutes
12
Exercise
1 2 3 4 2.51 5.29 4.21 3.57
Element t (min)
RF
1.10 1.15 1.10 1.05
Compute the standard time for this job using an allowance factor of 20 percent.
13
Solution
Use the formula (t)(RF)=Nt
Element 1 (.251)(1.10)=.2761 Element 2 (.529)(1.15)=.6084 And so on for element 3 and 4
Element T(min)
1 2 3 4 2.51 5.29 4.21 3.57
RF
Nt
1.10 .251 .2761 1.15 .529 .6084 1.10 .421 .4631 1.05 .357 .3749
To get the normal cycle time you sum the Nt values. Here = 1.73 min
14
Solution
To compute the standard time use the 20 percent allowance factor Nt(1+AF)=ST Here 1.73(1+.20)=2.08 So the standard time for each element of this job is 2.08 minutes
15
Problems
1.
2.
3.
Observers are not always competent Those conducting the study are not always proficient in the job being observed The actions observed are not always reflective of the group as a whole
16
Problems contd
Workers may not cooperate with a time and motion study: 1. They may resent the study if it is being used to determine the pay scale 2. Workers may change the rate at which they work 3. Pressure may increase mistakes made 4. Workers may alter normal work methods to disrupt 17 the study
References
Ferguson, David S., Dont Call it time and motion study, IIT Solutions, Norcross. May 1997. Vol. 29, Issue 5. Finkler, Steven A., A Comparison of work-sampling and time-andmotion techniques for studies in health services research, Health Service Research, Chicago. Dec 1993. Vol. 28, Issue 5. Koehler, Kenneth G., Time Cost Analysis, CMA, Hamilton. May 1992. Vol. 66, Issue 4. Russell, Roberta; Taylor, Bernard W., Operations Management, Prentice Hall Inc., Upper Saddle River, NJ. 2000. Stevens, Larry, Time Study Prompts New HR Efficiencies, Personnel Journal, Santa Monica. April 1994. Vol. 73, Issue 4. Stuttaford, Genevieve, The One Best Way: Fredrick Winslow Taylor & the Enigma of Efficiency, Publishers Weekly, New York. March 17, 1997. Vol. 224, Issue 11.
18