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.

OBJECTIVES OF METHOD STUDY  

1.    Improvement of processes and procedures2.    Improvement in the design of plant and

equipment3.    Improvement of layout4.    Improvement in the use of men, materials and

machines5.   Economy in human effort and reduction of

unnecessary fatigue6.   Improvement in safety standards7.   Development of better working environment.

METHOD STUDY PROCEDURE

1.    DEFINE

2.     RECORD

3.     EXAMINE

4.     DEVELOP

5.     DEFINE NEW METHOD

6.     INSTALL

7.     MAINTAIN

COMMONLY USED RECORDING TECHNIQUES  

              1. Outline Process Charts

2. Flow Process Chart

3. Two Handed Process Chart

4. Multiple Activity Chart

5. Simo Chart

6. Flow Diagrams

7. String Diagrams

8. Cyclegraph

9. Chronocyclegraph

10.Travel Chart

Man Type

Material Type

Equipment Type

USING TIME SCALE

CLASS OF CHANGE

HANDS & BODY

MOTION

WORK STATION

PROCESS PRODUCT RAW MATERIAL

1  New

 

Minor Changes

Same Same Same

2 New New Same Same Same

3 New New New Same Same

4 New New New Modified Same

5 New New New Modified New

CLASS OF CHANGE

Class Pivot Body member(s) moved

1 Knuckle Finger

2 Wrist Hand and Finger

3 Elbow Forearm, hand and fingers

4 Shoulder Upper arm, forearm, hand and fingers

5 Trunk Torso, Upper arm, forearm, hand and fingers

CLASSIFICATION OF MOVEMENTS

EXAMINE

The questioning technique is the means by which the critical examination is conducted, each activity being subjected in turn to a systematic and progressive series of questions.

 

PRIMARY QUESTIONS

the PURPOSE for which

the PLACE at which

the SEQUENCE in which

the PERSON by whomthe MEANS by which

ELIMINIATING

COMBINING

REARRANGING

OR

SIMPLIFING

those activitiesWith a view to

SECONDARY QUESTIONS

The secondary questions cover the second stage of the questioning technique, during which the answers to the primary questions are subjected to further query to determine whether possible alternatives of place, sequence, persons and means are practicable and preferred as a means of improvement upon the existing method.

PURPOSE: what is done?

why is it done?

what else might be done?

what should be done?

 

PLACE: where is it done?

Why is it done there?

Where else might it is done?

Where should it be done?

SEQUENCE: When is it done?

Why is it done?

When might it be done?

When should it be done? 

PERSON: who does it?

Why does that person do it?

Who else might do it?

Who should do it? 

MEANS: How is it done?

Why is it done that way?

How else might it be done?

How should it be done ?

DEFINING THE IMPROVED METHOD • The report should show:

1.     Relative costs in material, labour and overheads of the two methods, and savings expected.2. The cost of installing the new method, including the cost of new equipment and of re-laying out shops or working areas3.  Executive actions required to implement the new

method.  

• It should also give details regarding :1. The tools and equipment to be used2.      A description of the method3. A diagram of the work place layout, jigs/fixtures etc

INSTALLING THE IMPROVED METHOD

1.  Gaining acceptance of the change by the Management

2.  Gaining acceptance of the change by the workers

3. Maintaining close contact with the progress of the job until satisfied that

it is running as intended

THE PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY A.     Use of the human body 1.  The two hands should begin and complete their movements at the same time2.  Motion of the arms shall be symmetrical and in opposite directions and should be made simultaneously3.    Hands and body motions should be made at the lowest

classification at which it is possible to do the work satisfactorily

4.  Rhythm is essential to the smooth and automatic performance of a repetitive operation.5.   Work should be arranged so that eye movements are

confined to a comfortable area, without the need for frequent changes of focus.

 B.        Arrangement of the work place

1.  Definite and fixed stations should be provided for all tools and materials.

2.     Gravity feed, bins and containers should be used to deliver the materials as close to the point of use as possible.

3.     Tools, materials and controls should be located within the maximum working area.

4.     Materials and tools should be arranged to permit the best sequence of motion.

5.         Provision should be made for adequate lighting.

6.       The colour of the workplace should contrast with that of the workplace to reduce eye fatigue.

 C. Design of tools and equipment  

1.  The hands should be relieved of all work of 'holding' the workpiece where this can be done by fixture etc.

2.  Two or more tools should be combined wherever possible

3. Levers, cross bars and handwheels should be so placed that the operative can use them with the

least change in body position and the greatest mechanical advantage.

PURPOSE OF WORK MEASUREMENT

1.        To find ineffective time in a process

2.        To set standard for output level

3.        To evaluate worker's performance

4.        To plan work force needs.

5.        To determine available capacity

6.        To compare work methods

7.        To facilitate operations scheduling

8. To establish wage incentive schemes

THE TECHNIQUES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

1.     Stop-watch time study

2.     Work sampling

3.     Predetermined time standards(PTS)

4.     Standard Data

A FAIR DAY'S WORK Amount of work that can be produced by a qualified employee when working at normal pace and effectively utilizing his time where work is not restricted by process limitations.

Work Measurement

  Work measurement is the application of techniques designed to establish the time for a qualified worker to carry out a specific job at a defined level of performance.

THE QUALIFIED WORKERA qualified worker is one who is accepted as having the necessary physical attributes, who possess the required intelligence and education and who has acquired the necessary skill and knowledge to carry out the work in hand to satisfactory standards of safety, quantity and quality

STANDARD RATING  Rating is the assessment of the worker's rate

of working relative to the observers' concept of the rate corresponding to standard pace.

STANDARD PERFORMANCE

It is the rate of output which qualified workers will naturally achieve without over-exertion as an average over the working day or shift, provided that they know and adhere to the specified method and provided that they are motivated to apply themselves to their work.

TIME STUDY Basic Steps

 

a.  Obtaining and recording all available information about the job, operator and the surrounding conditions likely to affect the execution of the work

b.    Recording the complete description of the method, breaking down the operation into 'elements'

c.      Measuring with a stopwatch and recording the time taken by the operator to perform each 'element' of the operation.

d.      Assessing the rating

e.      Extending observed time to 'basic times'

f.    Determining the allowances to be made over and above the basic time for the operation

g. Determining the 'standard time' for the operation.

FACTORS AFFECTING RATE OF WORKING

(outside the control of worker) 

1.   Variation in the quality of materials used

2.   Changes in the operating efficiency of the equipment

3.   Changes in climatic and surrounding conditions of operation.

 FACTORS WITHING THE CONTROL OF WORKER

a.   Acceptable variations in the quality of the product

b.   Variations due to his ability

c.   Variations due to his attitude

  SCALES OF RATING

100-133

60-80

75-100

0-100