File: ch11, Chapter 11: Job Design and Work Measurement

Multiple Choice

1. Part of the operations strategy is designing a work system that:

a) is easy to build.
b) provides an appropriate risk/reward structure.
c) provides the structure for the productivity of the company.
d) provides a structure for the HR recruiting function.
e) provides the structure for determining the company objectives.

Ans: c
Section Ref: Designing a Work System
Level: moderate

2. What technique eliminates unnecessary tasks and improves the process for completing tasks?
a) methods analysis
b) job design
c) work measurement
d) task inversion
e) cycle counting

Ans: a
Section Ref: The Work Environment
Level: moderate

3. Job design ensures that each employee’s _________ and ________ are geared towards
achieving the company’s mission.
a) compensation, teams
b) duties, teams
c) satisfaction, compensation
d) duties, responsibility
e) compensation, responsibility

Ans: d
Section Ref: The Work Environment
Level: easy

4. Technical Feasibility of a job is the degree to which an individual or group of individuals is:
a) able to understand the instructions.
b) physically and mentally able to do the job.
c) able to control the process.
d) physically and mentally able to provide suggestions.
e) able to meet the organization’s mission.

Ans: b
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

5. Determining if the best financial opportunity is to have an individual perform the task or
automate the task is which of the following?
a) Technical Feasibility
b) Behavioral Feasibility
c) Activity Based Accounting Feasibility
d) Job Enrichment Feasibility
e) Economic Feasibility

Ans: e
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

6. The challenge with behavioral feasibility is to design a job ____________ and that adds value.
a) that is socially acceptable
b) that will not get the worker in trouble
c) without doing something that is morally wrong
d) that the worker feels good about doing
e) fits in with the norms of society

Ans: d
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

7. Which of the following is an advantage of specialization in job design?

a) high turnover rates
b) minimal training needed
c) intrinsic satisfaction of employees
d) increased opportunity for advancement of employees
e) low scrap rates

Ans: b
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate
8 From the employee’s perspective, which of the following is not an advantage of job
specialization?
a) reasonable wages
b) minimal training needed
c) minimal mental effort needed
d) minimal responsibilities
e) minimal credentials needed

Ans: b
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

9. What is the approach to job design which involves an increase in responsibility for work
planning and/or inspection?
a) job enlargement
b) job rotation
c) job involvement
d) job enrichment
e) job enhancement

Ans: d
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

10. Which of the following most closely describes job enrichment?

a) vertical expansion
b) transferring workers through a series of jobs to increase their scope of experience
c) increasing the amount of workspace assigned to a worker
d) horizontal expansion
e) assigning two jobs to the same worker

Ans: a
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

11. Having waiters cook and having the cooks wait on tables is an example of ______________.
a) job enlargement
b) job rotation
c) job enrichment
d) job involvement
e) job enhancement

Ans: b
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate
12. What are small groups of employees who meet to identify, analyze, and solve operational
problems called?
a) traditional work groups
b) cross-functional teams
c) self-managed teams
d) problem-solving teams
e) special-purpose teams

Ans: d
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

13. Which of the following is typically not associated with problem solving teams?
a) employees typically volunteer
b) employees are trained in problem solving techniques
c) employees contribute on a short term basis
d) employees engage in data gathering
e) employee participation is on an ongoing basis

Ans: c
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

14. Which of the following issues would best be handled by a special-purpose team?
a) A machine on the shop floor occasionally malfunctions.
b) Particular items in a warehouse are difficult to find.
c) A proposal has been made to switch from rail to truck for both transporting incoming parts
and product distribution.
d) Customers are complaining that they get charged twice for their purchases.
e) Forklifts have difficulty moving material in the factory because there is too much congestion
in the aisles.

Ans: c
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

15. A difference between self-directed and self-managed teams is:

a) who defines the team’s working goal
b) who defines the team’s compensation package
c) who defines the team rules
d) where the work is performed
e) what means of job enrichment will be applied
Ans: a
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

16. What is the approach that moves the work to the worker rather than the worker to the
workplace?
a) teleworking
b) virtual office
c) office at home
d) office on the move
e) the alternative workplace

Ans: e
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: moderate

17. Which of the following is not a form of alternative workplace arrangements?

a) hot desking
b) desk sharing
c) working from the hotel room on an occasional business trip
d) telework center
e) virtual office

Ans: c
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: easy

18. Advantages of the alternative workplace include all except which of the following?
a) eliminating offices that people do not need
b) reducing overhead expenses
c) offers more flexibility to balance work and family
d) increased cohesiveness among employees
e) employees devote more time to customers and/or meaningful work activities

Ans: d
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: hard

19. To determine whether the alternative workplace is right for your organization, which of the
following questions should be positively answered?
a) are you out of space?
b) does your organization have an open culture?
c) does your organization allow the employee to set their own expectations?
d) does your organization subscribe to the ‘new’ work force program?
e) does the organization plan office parties?

Ans: b
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: moderate

20. Methods analysis can _________________.

a) improve efficiency
b) analyze the fairness of pay systems
c) improve how teams function
d) evaluate job performance
e) help select issues that need to be brought to management’s attention

Ans: a
Section Ref: The Work Environment
Level: moderate

21. The approach that details the tasks of a job and how to do them is ____________________.
a) work measurement
b) job evaluation
c) methods analysis
d) job design
e) work sampling

Ans: c
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: moderate

22. What results from methods analysis?

a) a graph of how long each step takes
b) an evaluation of current employees
c) time standards
d) guidance for designing jobs
e) a standard, detailed procedure for an operation

Ans: e
Section Ref: The Work Environment
Level: moderate

23. What is the methods analysis chart that describes the overall sequence of operation,
movement, inspection, delay, and storage?
a) process flowchart
b) worker-machine chart
c) simultaneous-motion (simo) chart
d) efficiency/time-of-day chart
e) operations chart

Ans: a
Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: hard

24. Which of the following is not taken into consideration when dealing with the effects of
working conditions on worker productivity, quality and safety?
a) cafeteria location
b) temperature
c) relative humidity
d) ventilation
e) lighting

Ans: a
Section Ref: The Work Environment
Level: moderate

25. What is the governmental agency that has inspectors who check for safety conditions?
a) ISO
b) OSHA
c) FCC
d) IRS
e) HEW

Ans: b
Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: hard

26. What does work measurement determine?

a) how long it should take to do a job
b) what is the best way to do a job
c) who is the best worker
d) where work should be done
e) why a particular step must be included in an operation

Ans: a
Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: moderate
27. The ____________ time is the time it should take a qualified operator, working at a
sustainable pace and using the appropriate tools and process, to do the job.
a) performance
b) observed
c) normal
d) standard
e) ideal

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

28 The formula to determine standard labor costs for costing a product is:
a) standard labor time x hourly labor cost
b) standard labor time x normal labor cost
c) normal labor time x hourly labor cost
d) normal labor time x normal labor cost
e) adjusted normal time x adjusted normal labor cost

Ans: a
Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: moderate

29. A company uses standard times for ______________________.

a) public relations
b) advertising
c) financial accounting
d) the winter months
e) costing

Ans: e
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

30. The use of standard times for costing allows the company to do all except which of the
following?
a) evaluate quantitative methods
b) evaluate new product proposals
c) evaluate use of new equipment
d) evaluate new techniques for building a product
e) evaluate individual operator proficiency

Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: easy

31. Standard times can be used to measure performance of individual workers. If a worker fails
to match the standard time, the company should do what?
a) put the worker on probation
b) ignore the situation
c) change the standard time
d) provide training to improve the worker’s performance
e) fire the worker

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

32. Which of the following is not a commonly used process for setting standard times?
a) elapsed times
b) time study
c) elemental time data
d) predetermined time data
e) work sampling

Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

33. The steps involved in a time study include all except which of the following?
a) Break the job into easily recognizable units.
b) Determine the probability distribution that best fits the observed times.
c) Calculate the number of cycles you must observe.
d) Time each element, record the times, and rate the worker’s performance.
e) Tell the worker whose job you will be studying.

Ans: b
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

34. Typically the job chosen for the time study will be ___________________.
a) a routine job that is labor intensive
b) a simple job performed by many different people
c) done primarily by machine
d) done only occasionally
e) insignificant
Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

35. For the step in a time study that involves breaking the job down into easily recognizable
elements, each of these elements should ________________.
a) overlap
b) not be stand-alone
c) not involve the worker
d) have clear starting and ending points
e) be semi-continuous

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

36. The formula for determining the number of observations needed depends upon all except
which of the following values?
a) the number of standard deviations needed for the desired confidence
b) the maximum observed value in the sample
c) the standard deviation of the sample observations
d) the mean of the sample observations
e) the desired accuracy

Ans: b
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

37. How many standard deviations is required for a 98% confidence level?
a) 2
b) 2.05
c) 2.17
d) 2.33
e) 2.58

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: easy

38. What is the effect of an increase in the desired confidence level on the number of
observations necessary in a time study?
a) increases
b) decreases
c) unchanged
d) may increase or decrease
e) impossible to say

Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

39. When performing a time study, the analyst converts the observed time into the time an
"average" worker would require working at an acceptable pace by using which of the following?
a) allowance factor
b) mean time modulation
c) methods analysis
d) performance rating factor
e) analysis of efficiency

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

40. Which of the following values for performance rating factor would be for an above-average
work pace?
a) 90%
b) 100%
c) 140%
d) 138%
e) 78%

Ans: c
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: easy

41. Establishing a performance factor is an attempt to:

a) fudge the actual times.
b) punish the worker who does not perform fast enough.
c) counterbalance any unusual patterns noted.
d) allow management to ‘encourage’ greater productivity.
e) use the ISO 9000 approval process.

Ans: c
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate
42. In calculating the time standard, the frequency of occurrence for a work element is
_________________.
a) how many times the work element is repeated in doing the job once
b) how many other jobs have the same work element
c) the fraction of the time the work element needs to be done when the job is done
d) the number of times the work element took longer than all the other work elements
e) the inverse of the wave length for the work element

Ans: c
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

43. For each work element in the time study, multiplying the mean observed time by the
performance rating factor by the frequency of occurrence results in what?
a) the normal time for the element
b) the average observed time for the element
c) the standard time for the element
d) the average delay for the element
e) the standard time for the job

Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

44. In a time study, personal time, fatigue, and unavoidable delays (PFD) during the typical
work day are accounted for in what?
a) the normal time
b) an allowance factor
c) the performance rating
d) how the work elements are defined
e) costs

Ans: b
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: easy

45. The allowance factor is computed by adding one to PFD (personal time, fatigue, and
unavoidable delays) when the allowance is based on what?
a) normal time
b) the performance rating factor
c) job time
d) time worked
e) standard time

Ans: c
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

46. If OT = the mean observed time, PRF = the performance rating factor, F = the frequency of
occurrence, and PFD = the percentage allowance based on time worked, what is the formula to
compute the normal time?
a) (OT)(PRF)(F)
b) (OT)(PRF)(F)(1 + PFD)
c) (OT)(PRF)(F) / (1 – PFD)
d) (OT)(PRF) / (F)
e) (OT)(PRF)(F) / (1 + PFD)

Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

47. If OT = the mean observed time, PRF = the performance rating factor, F = the frequency of
occurrence, and PFD = the percentage allowance based on time worked, what is the formula to
compute the standard time?
a) (OT)(PRF)(F)
b) (OT)(PRF)(F)(1 + PFD)
c) (OT)(PRF)(F) / (1 – PFD)
d) (OT)(PRF) / (F)
e) (OT)(PRF)(F) / (1 + PFD)

Ans: c
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

48. If OT = the mean observed time, PRF = the performance rating factor, F = the frequency of
occurrence, and PFD = the percentage allowance adjustment based on job time, what is the
formula to compute the standard time?
a) (OT)(PRF)(F)
b) (OT)(PRF)(F)(1 + PFD)
c) (OT)(PRF)(F) / (1 – PFD)
d) (OT)(PRF) / (F)
e) (OT)(PRF)(F) / (1 + PFD)

Ans: b
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

49. A company’s accepted time studies are stored in a(n) ____________ for possible future use.
a) file cabinet
b) time study vault
c) warehouse
d) jar
e) elemental time database

Ans: e
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: easy

50. Typical work elements that occur in many jobs include all except which of the following?
a) insert something
b) tighten something
c) position an item
d) figure out the instructions
e) reach for materials

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

51. Which of the following steps is not included when a time study analyst uses standard
elemental times?
a) Identify the standard elements of the job.
b) Determine the performance rating factor.
c) Adjust the database times if needed.
d) Check the database for time studies done on these elements.
e) If no valid studies exist for this or a similar work element, do a time study for the new work
element.

Ans: b
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

52. ____________ is a published database of elemental time data used for establishing standard
times.
a) Predetermined time data
b) Time elements
c) Time histories
d) Performance times
e) Time samples

Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate
53. Which of the following would not be a basic element into which a job would be split when
using predetermined time data?
a) reach
b) sort
c) grasp
d) insert
e) turn

Ans: b
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

54. Which of the following is an advantage of using predetermined time data?

a) You can calculate standard times before the job begins.
b) Very little skill is required.
c) There is universal agreement in assessing the level of difficulty of different work elements.
d) No calculations are required.
e) You do not need to know much about the job.

Ans: a
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

55. What is a technique for estimating the proportion of time an employee or machine spends on
different work activities?
a) predetermined time data
b) time elements
c) stopwatch time study
d) work sampling
e) simultaneous motion study

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

56. In work sampling, when should observations be taken?

a) at the same time each day
b) once per week
c) at random times
d) once per hour
e) once per day
Ans: c
Section Ref: Compensation
Level: moderate

57. Which of the following is a basic difference of work sampling compared to a time study?
a) It does not require any observations.
b) It requires fewer observations to accomplish the same thing.
c) It is better suited for short, repetitive tasks.
d) It does not provide standard times.
e) It is suitable only for assembly lines.

Ans: d
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

58. Which of the following is not a step in work sampling?

a) Estimate the proportion of time spent on the given activity.
b) Estimate the sample size based on the desired level of accuracy and confidence.
c) Define the activities to be observed.
d) Identify the worker or machine to be sampled.
e) Divide the job into basic elements.

Ans: e
Section Ref: Compensation
Level: hard

59. Companies need to design compensation systems that _________________.

a) punish poor performance
b) reinforce the behaviors needed to meet the company’s objectives
c) are easy to administer
d) do not differ significantly from those of other firms in the industry
e) are innovative

Ans: b
Section Ref: Compensation
Level: moderate

60. Which of the following is not characteristic of time-based compensation systems?

a) wages are easily calculated
b) employees know what they will get in their regular paycheck
c) simplicity
d) normally used when measuring output per employee is not applicable
e) lower cost per unit than output-based systems
Ans: e
Section Ref: Compensation
Level: moderate

61. Output-based incentive systems are based on the assumption that some workers
_____________.
a) mentally calculate their pay by keeping track of their output
b) are motivated by money and produce more when pay is linked to performance
c) like to work in a competitive environment
d) like to work overtime
e) work harder than others

Ans: b
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

62. Which of the following is not characteristic of output-based compensation systems?

a) can be used to compensate individuals
b) can be used to compensate groups
c) can include a base salary
d) often include an upper limit on how much an individual can be compensated each day
e) need to be linked to quality as well as quantity to be successful

Ans: d
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

63. Profit sharing and gain sharing are two methods of _______________.
a) group incentive plans
b) keeping costs down
c) calculating pay for top management
d) employee retirement plans
e) keeping expense account costs under control

Ans: a
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

64. Disadvantages of individual incentive systems include all except which of the following?
a) They undermine teamwork.
b) A study has shown they had no effect on worker performance.
c) They avoid the “free-rider” problem.
d) They need a significant amount of data collection.
e) They give employees a short-term focus.

Ans: c
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: hard

65. The fact that human activities typically improve when they are done on a repetitive basis is
described by a(an) _________________ curve.
a) normal distribution
b) learning
c) binomial distribution
d) lognormal distribution
e) S-shaped

Ans: b
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: easy

66. A worker performed a particular task for the first time, and it took 10 minutes. If we assume
a 90% learning curve, how long will it take the worker the fourth time she performs the task?
a) 10.0 minutes
b) 9.0 minutes
c) 8.1 minutes
d) 7.29 minutes
e) 6.561 minutes

Ans: c
Solution: T x Ln
.810 x 10 = 8.1
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

67. Which one of the following would learning curves affect the most?
a) layout analysis
b) statistical process control
c) planning labor requirements
d) location analysis
e) robots

Ans: c
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate
68. The first unit of a product took 400 hours to complete. If an 80% learning curve is expected,
how long will the 18th unit take to complete?
a) 157.6 hours
b) 163.8 hours
c) 400.0 hours
d) 3886.4 hours
e) 7200.0 hours

Ans: a
Solution: T x Ln
.394 x 400 = 157.6
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

69. The first unit of a product took 400 hours to complete. If an 80% learning curve is expected,
how long will it take to complete the first 18 units?

a) 157.6 hours
b) 163.8 hours
c) 400.0 hours
d) 3886.4 hours
e) 7200.0 hours

Ans: d
Solution: T x Ln
9.716 x 400 = 3886.4
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

70. The first unit of a product took 400 hours to complete. The firm plans to produce 8 units in
the first month and 10 units in the second month. If an 80% learning curve is expected, how
many hours will the firm use to work on the product during the second month?

a) 4000.0 hours
b) 2526.0 hours
c) 3886.4 hours
d) 2138.4 hours
e) 1748.0 hours

Ans: e
Solution: T x Ln
6.315 x 400 = 3886.4
5.346 x 400 = 2136
3886.4 – 2136 = 1748
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: hard
71. The first unit of a product took 80 hours to complete. If a 75% learning curve is expected,
how long will the 22nd unit take to complete?

a) 22.2 hours
b) 751.0 hours
c) 25.3 hours
d) 80.0 hours
e) 1760.0 hours

Ans: a
Solution: T x Ln
.277 x 80 = 22.16 or 22.2
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

72. The first unit of a product took 80 hours to complete. If a 75% learning curve is expected,
how long will it take to complete the first 22 units?
a) 22.2 hours
b) 751.0 hours
c) 25.3 hours
d) 80.0 hours
e) 1760.0 hours

Ans: b
Solution: T x Ln
9.388 x 80 = 751.04
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

73. The first unit of a product took 80 hours to complete. The firm plans to produce 10 units in
the first month and 12 units in the second month. If a 75% learning curve is expected, how
many hours will the firm use to work on the product during the second month?
a) 960.0 hours
b) 505.2 hours
c) 751.0 hours
d) 447.1 hours
e) 303.9 hours

Ans: e
Solution: T x Ln
5.589 x 80 = 447.12
6.315 x 80 = 505.20
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: hard
74. _____________ is the world’s largest privately held software manufacturer.
a) Microsoft
b) Corel
c) GAMS
d) SAS
e) IBM

Ans: d
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

75. At SAS, employees are not allowed to work later than ____________________.
a) 5:00 p.m.
b) 6:00 pm.
c) 7:00 p.m.
d) 9:00 p.m.
e) midnight

Ans: b
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

76. Which two are sustainability practices in work system design?

a) environmental and social
b) social and ecosystem
c) industrial and agriculture
d) development and environment
e) industrial and social

Ans: a
Section Ref: Sustainability
Level: moderate

True/False

77. Job design ensures that each employee’s activities are closely timed.

Ans: False
Section Ref: Designing A Work System
Level: easy
78. When deciding if the firm should participate in alternative workplace arrangements you must
ensure that the same level of direct report control is maintained.

Ans: False
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: easy

79. Methods analysis eliminates unnecessary tasks and improves the process for completing
tasks.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

80. The degree to which an individual or group of individuals can physically and mentally
handle the job is its technical feasibility.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

81. Problem-solving teams are small groups of employees who meet to identify, analyze, and
solve operational problems.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

82. The process flowchart describes the overall sequence of operation, movement, inspection,
delay, and storage.

Ans: True
Section Ref: The Work Environment
Level: hard

83. FCC is the governmental agency that has inspectors who check for safety conditions.

Ans: False
Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: moderate

84. Work measurement determines how long it should take to do a job.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: moderate

85. The standard time is the time it should take a qualified operator, working at a sustainable
pace and using the appropriate tools and process, to do the job.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: moderate

86. Typically the job chosen for the time study will be a routine job that is labor intensive.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

87. An increase in the desired confidence level will decrease the number of observations
necessary in a time study.

Ans: False
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

88. In calculating the time standard, the frequency of occurrence for a work element is how
many times the work element is repeated in doing the job once.

Ans: False
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

89. In a time study, personal time, fatigue, and unavoidable delays (PFD) during the typical
work day are accounted for in the allowance factor.
Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: easy

90. If OT = the mean observed time, PRF = the performance rating factor, F = the frequency of
occurrence, and PFD = the percentage allowance adjustment based on job time, the formula to
compute the standard time is (OT)(PRF)(F)(1 + PFD).

Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

91. If OT = the mean observed time, PRF = the performance rating factor, F = the frequency of
occurrence, and PFD = the percentage allowance based on time worked, the formula to compute
the normal time is (OT)(PRF)(F).

Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

92. If OT = the mean observed time, PRF = the performance rating factor, F = the frequency of
occurrence, and PFD = the percentage allowance based on time worked, the formula to compute
the standard time is (OT)(PRF)(F).

Ans: False
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

93. Predetermined time data is a published database of elemental time data used for establishing
standard times.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

94. An advantage of using predetermined time data is that you can calculate standard times
before the job begins.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard
95. In work sampling, observations should be taken at random times.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

96. Output-based incentive systems are based on the assumption that some workers are
motivated by money and produce more when pay is linked to performance.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Compensation
Level: moderate

97. Gain Sharing emphasized profit levels so employees can share the benefits of increased
profits.

Ans: False
Section Ref: Compensation
Level: moderate

98. The fact that human activities typically improve when they are done on a repetitive basis is
described by a learning curve.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: easy

99. The table containing the Learning Curve Coefficients allows one to calculate both the time it
should take to build the nth unit as well as the total production time required to build the entire
production run when the nth unit is the last one completed.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

100. Human resources is not really involved in work sampling as this is a production facility
process.
Ans: False
Section Ref: Work System Design Across The Organization
Level: moderate

101. Economic feasibility is the degree to which the job adds value and the cost of performing
the job done are profitable for the company.

Ans: True
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

Essay

102. What are the approaches to eliminating employee boredom? Briefly describe each.

Ans: Job enlargement involves a horizontal expansion of the job by adding other related tasks.
Job enrichment involves a vertical expansion of the job by adding more responsibility for work
planning and/or inspection. Job rotation involves moving workers to other jobs on the same
level.
Section Ref: Job Design
Level: moderate

103. What are the characteristics of self-managed teams?

Ans: designed to achieve a high level of employee involvement; used an integrated team
approach, allow people who are most knowledgeable about the process to control the work flow;
allow employees to develop a sense of ownership and pride in their work
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: hard

104. What are the advantages of the alternative workplace?

Ans: reducing overhead expenses by eliminating offices that people do not need and
consolidating others; offers more flexibility for employees to balance work and family; and
increased productivity and job effectiveness due to employees devoting more time to customers
and/or meaningful work activities
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: hard
105. What are the steps in methods analysis?

Ans: (1) Identify the operation to be analyzed. (2) Gather all relevant information about the
operation, including tools, materials, and procedures. (3) Talk with employees who use the
operation or have used similar operations. (4) Chart the operation, whether you are analyzing an
existing operation or a new operation. (5) Evaluate each step in the existing operation or
proposed new operation. (6) Revise the existing or new operation as needed. (7) Put the existing
or new operation into effect
Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: hard

106. With respect to costing, what uses does a company have for standard times?

Ans: Standard times allow companies to evaluate new product proposals, the use of new
materials and equipment, new processes or techniques for building a product, and individual
operator proficiency.
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

107. What are the ways that standard times can help in planning and scheduling?

Ans: make workload forecasts; plan how much labor is needed; schedule work; promise viable
delivery dates to customers
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

108. What are the steps involved in doing a time study?

Ans: (1) Choose the job for the time study. (2) Tell the worker whose job you will be studying.
(3) Break the job into easily recognizable elements. (4) Calculate the number of cycles you must
observe. (5) Time each element, record the times, and rate the worker’s performance. (6)
Compute the standard time.
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

109. What are the steps involved when a time study analyst uses standard elemental times?

Ans: (1) Identify the standard elements of the job. (2) Check the database for time studies done
on these elements. (3) If no valid studies exist for this or a similar work element, do a time study
for the new work element. (4) Adjust the database times if needed. (5) Add the element times to
determine the standard time.
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard
110. What are the steps involved in work sampling?

Ans: (1) Identify the worker or machine to be sampled. (2) Define the activities to be observed.
(3) Estimate the sample size based on the desired level of accuracy and confidence. (4) Develop
the random observation schedule. (5) Make observations and record the data. (6) Estimate the
proportion of time spent on the given activity.
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

111. What are the characteristics of time-based compensation systems?

Ans: wages are easily calculated; the pay is steady and employees know what they will get in
their regular paycheck; simplicity; and normally used when measuring output per employee is
not applicable
Section Ref: Compensation
Level: moderate

112. Describe why understanding learning curves is important to the organization.

Ans: Understanding learning curves is important as it allows for the calculation and planning of
how much labor is needed to finish the same task or build the same product a number of times.
The company can also better schedule its workload.
Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate

113. Discuss how job design is related to the supply chain.

Ans: Every member of the supply chain needs to have his or her role defined so they know what
has to be done, who has to do it, how it should be done, and how it should be measured.
Section Ref: The Supply Chain Link
Level: easy

114. What does OSHA stand for and when was it enacted?

Ans: Occupational Safety and Health Administration was enacted in 1970 to mandate specific
safety conditions that must be met.
Section Ref: The Work Environment
Level: moderate
Short Answer

115. Jobs that are physically and mentally doable are said to be __________________.

Ans: technically feasible.

Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

116. Jobs that cost less than the value they add are said to be __________________.

Ans: economically feasible.

Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

117. Jobs that are intrinsically satisfying to the employee are said to be ____________________.

Ans: behaviorally feasible

Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

118. Expanding a job horizontally through increasing the scope of work assigned is called
________________.

Ans: job enlargement

Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

119. Expanding a job vertically through increased worker responsibility is called ____________.

Ans: job enrichment

Section Ref: Job Design
Level: hard

120. Studying the detailed process for doing a job is called ___________________.

Ans: methods analysis

Section Ref: Methods Analysis
Level: hard
121. Studying the time it takes to do a job is called __________________.

Ans: work measurement

Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: hard

122. The time it should take a qualified worker using appropriate process and tools to complete a
specific job allowing time for personal fatigue and unavoidable delays is called
_________________.

Ans: standard time

Section Ref: Work Measurement
Level: hard

123. Developing standard time by observing an operator is called ___________________.

Ans: a time study

Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

124. The average observed time for each work element is its __________________.

Ans: mean observed time

Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

125 .Research on twenty Social Security Administration offices’ individual incentive systems
showed that an individual merit pay system had _______________.

Ans: no effect on worker performance

Section Ref: Compensation
Level: moderate

126. Calculating the learning rate is a means for ____________.

Ans: evaluating productivity

Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: moderate
Problems

127. Consider the following information.

Standard Deviation Mean Observed Time
Work Element (minutes) (minutes) Performance Rating
1 0.4 2.2 0.9
2 0.1 1.2 1.2
3 0.4 4.4 0.8
4 0.2 3.6 1.0
(a) Determine the sample size needed if the standard time estimate is to be within 1% of the true
mean 90% of the time.
(b) Calculate the normal time for each work element.
(c) Using an allowance factor of 10% based on job time; calculate the standard time for each
work element and for the entire job.
(d) Based on the standard time, how many units should an employee performing at 100% of
standard complete during an 8-hour day?

Ans: (a) 900 for element 1, 189 for element 2, 225 for element 3, 84 for element 4, so 900 is the
sample size required; (b) 1.98 for element 1, 1.44 for element 2, 3.52 for element 3, 3.60 for
element 4; (c) 2.178 for element 1, 1.584 for element 2, 3.872 for element 3, 3.960 for element
4, 11.594 for the entire job; (d) 41.4 units
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

128. You’ve been assigned to use work sampling to determine how much time Frank spends
sorting the mail. You’ve decided that a preliminary estimate of sample size is required to
determine the proportion of time spent sorting the mail with a 97% confidence level and within
5% of the true value. What is the preliminary estimate of sample size?

Ans: 470.89
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: easy

129. Frank’s appliance store has just employed a new repair technician. The factor says that the
re is a 90% learning curve. Typically the first refrigerator repair takes 2 hours. How long should
it take this technician to repair the 8th refrigerator?

Ans: 1.458 hours

Section Ref: Learning Curves
Level: easy
130. Consider the following information.
Standard deviation Mean Observed Time
Work Element (minutes) (minutes) Performance Rating
1 1.2 22.2 1.1
2 0.9 31.2 1.4
3 1.3 44.4 0.6
4 0.6 13.6 1.2
5 0.4 22.8 0.9
(a) Determine the sample size needed if the standard time estimate is to be within 2% of the true
mean 99% of the time.
(b) Calculate the normal time for each work element.
(c) Using an allowance factor of 20% based on the amount of time worked; calculate the
standard time for each work element and for the entire job.
(d) Based on the standard time, how many units should an employee performing at 110% of
standard complete during an 8-hour day?

Ans: (a) 49 for element 1, 14 for element 2, 14 for element 3, 32 for element 4, 5 for element 5,
so 49 is the sample size required; (b) 24.42 for element 1, 43.68 for element 2, 26.64 for element
3, 16.32 for element 4, 20.52 for element 5; (c) 30.53 for element 1, 54.60 for element 2, 33.30
for element 3, 20.40 for element 4, 25.65 for element 5, 164.48 for the entire job; (d) 3.21 units
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

131. Consider the following information.

Standard Deviation Mean Observed Time
Work Element (minutes) (minutes) Performance Rating
1 0.8 8.2 1.3
2 0.6 9.2 1.1
3 0.5 4.4 0.8
(a) Determine the sample size needed if the standard time estimate is to be within 5% of the true
mean 99% of the time.
(b) Calculate the normal time for each work element.
(c) Using an allowance factor of 15% based on job time; calculate the standard time for each
work element and for the entire job.
(d) Based on the standard time, how many units should an employee performing at 100% of
standard complete during an 8-hour day?

Ans: (a) 25 for element 1, 11 for element 2, 34 for element 3, so 34 is the sample size required;
(b) 10.66 for element 1, 10.12 for element 2, 3.52 for element 3; (c) 12.259 for element 1,
11.638 for element 2, 4.048 for element 3, 27.945 for the entire job; (d) 17.2 units
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

132. Consider the following information.

Element 1 Element 2 Element 3 Element 4 Element 5
Observations (minutes) (minutes) (minutes) (minutes) (minutes)
Cycle 1 2.79 3.27 9.34 4.12 1.37
Cycle 2 2.97 3.07 8.76 4.42 1.22
Cycle 3 2.59 3.21 8.82 4.01 1.57
Cycle 4 2.47 3.32 9.25 3.87 1.77
Cycle 5 3.21 3.46 8.85 4.45 1.98
Cycle 6 2.88 3.33 9.09 4.21 1.45
Cycle 7 2.56 3.01 8.66 4.00 1.47
Cycle 8 2.76 2.98 8.81 3.93 1.22
Cycle 9 2.69 3.45 8.71 4.34 1.59
Cycle 10 2.35 3.12 9.11 4.22 1.42
Performance
rating factor 1.1 0.8 1.0 1.2 0.7
Frequency 1 1 1 1 1
(a) Calculate the mean observed time for each work element.
(b) Calculate the normal time for each work element.
(c) Using an allowance factor of 10% based on job time; calculate the standard time for each
work element and for the entire job.
(d) Based on the standard time, how many units should an employee performing at 100% of
standard complete each hour?

Ans: (a) 2.73 for element 1, 3.22 for element 2, 8.94 for element 3, 4.16 for element 4, 1.51 for
element 5; (b) 3.00 for element 1, 2.58 for element 2, 8.94 for element 3, 4.99 for element 4,
1.05 for element 5; (c) 3.30 for element 1, 2.84 for element 2, 9.83 for element 3, 5.49 for
element 4, 1.16 for element 5, 22.62 for the entire job; (d) 2.65 units
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

133. Consider the following information.

Element 1 Element 2 Element 3
Observations (minutes) (minutes) (minutes)
Cycle 1 4.82 8.27 7.34
Cycle 2 4.97 8.37 7.67
Cycle 3 4.69 8.21 7.82
Cycle 4 4.87 8.23 8.25
Cycle 5 4.41 8.46 7.35
Cycle 6 4.88 8.03 8.09
Cycle 7 4.65 8.61 7.83
Cycle 8 4.86 7.98 7.81
Cycle 9 4.99 8.57 7.71
Cycle 10 5.01 8.05 7.11
Performance
rating factor 1.3 0.9 1.1
Frequency 1 1 1
(a) Calculate the mean observed time for each work element.
(b) Calculate the normal time for each work element.
(c) Using an allowance factor of 15% based on the amount of time worked; calculate the
standard time for each work element and for the entire job.
(d) Based on the standard time, how many units should an employee performing at 120% of
standard complete each hour?
Ans: (a) 4.82 for element 1, 8.28 for element 2, 7.70 for element 3; (b) 6.26 for element 1, 7.45
for element 2, 8.47 for element 3; (c) 7.36 for element 1, 8.76 for element 2, 9.96 for element 3,
26.08 for the entire job; (d) 2.76 units
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

134. Consider the following information.

Element 1 Element 2 Element 3 Element 4 Element 5
Observations (minutes) (minutes) (minutes) (minutes) (minutes)
Cycle 1 4.99 6.27 4.34 5.76 3.47
Cycle 2 - 6.07 - 5.82 3.33
Cycle 3 4.79 6.21 4.82 5.51 3.57
Cycle 4 4.67 6.32 - 5.47 3.47
Cycle 5 - 6.66 4.65 5.92 3.21
Cycle 6 4.88 6.44 - 5.71 3.45
Cycle 7 4.76 6.01 - 5.55 3.47
Cycle 8 - 5.99 - 5.63 3.36
Cycle 9 - 6.45 4.71 5.89 3.19
Cycle 10 4.41 6.33 - 5.66 3.32
Performance
rating factor 1.3 1.1 0.8 0.9 1.0
Frequency 0.6 1 0.4 1 1
(a) Calculate the mean observed time for each work element.
(b) Calculate the normal time for each work element.
(c) Using an allowance factor of 20% based on job time; calculate the standard time for each
work element and for the entire job.
(d) Based on the standard time, how many units should an employee performing at 110% of
standard complete each hour?

Ans: (a) 4.75 for element 1, 6.28 for element 2, 4.63 for element 3, 5.69 for element 4, 3.38 for
element 5; (b) 3.71 for element 1, 6.90 for element 2, 1.48 for element 3, 5.12 for element 4,
3.38 for element 5; (c) 4.45 for element 1, 8.28 for element 2, 1.78 for element 3, 6.15 for
element 4, 4.06 for element 5, 24.72 for the entire job; (d) 2.67 units
Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: hard

135. You have been asked to observe the office manager at Wolf Mountain Christian School to
estimate the proportion of time she spends handling visitors to the school who stop by the office.
Your 50 observations have revealed the following:
Number of
Activity Observed Times observed
Talking on phone 13
Handling student problems 5
Directing work of others 12
Handling visitors 3
Working on computer 11
 Other 6
(a) Based on the preliminary data, calculate the proportion of time she spends handling visitors
to the school who stop by the office.
(b) Calculate the sample size needed to estimate the proportion of time she spends handling
visitors to the school who stop by the office. Assume a 95% confidence that the results will lie
within 5% of the true value.

Ans: (a) 0.06; (b) 87

Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

136. You have been asked to observe the shift supervisor at the process test plant for Hudson
Chemical Co. to estimate the proportion of time she spends answering questions for the
operators. Your 30 observations have revealed the following:
Number of
Activity Observed Times observed
Talking on the phone to engineers 3
Answering questions for operators 6
Observing work of others 12
Working on computer 4
Other 5
(a) Based on the preliminary data, calculate the proportion of time she spends answering
questions for the operators.
(b) Calculate the sample size needed to estimate the proportion of time she spends answering
questions for the operators. Assume a 90% confidence that the results will lie within 5% of the
true value.

Ans: (a) 0.20; (b) 174

Section Ref: Setting Standard Times
Level: moderate

137. The first unit of a product took 180 hours to complete. A 70% learning curve is expected.
(a) How long will the 19th unit take to complete? (b) How long will it take to complete the first
19 units?

Ans: (a) (180)(.220) = 39.6 hours; (b) (180)(7.192) = 1294.56 hours

Section Ref: Work System Design Within OM: How It All Fits Together
Level: moderate

138. The first unit of a product took 180 hours to complete. The firm plans to produce 4 units in
the first month and 15 units in the second month. If a 70% learning curve is expected, how
many hours will the firm use to work on the product during the second month?

Ans: (180)(7.192) – (180)(2.758) = 1294.56 – 496.44 = 798.12 hours

Section Ref: Work System Design Within OM: How It All Fits Together
Level: hard