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.

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OBJECTIVES OF METHOD STUDY

1. Improvement of processes and procedures

2. Improvement in the design of plant and
equipment
3. Improvement of layout
4. Improvement in the use of men, materials and
machines
5. Economy in human effort and reduction of
unnecessary fatigue
6. Improvement in safety standards
7. Development of better working environment.
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 METHOD STUDY PROCEDURE

1. DEFINE
2. RECORD
3. EXAMINE
4. DEVELOP
5. DEFINE NEW METHOD
6. INSTALL
7. MAINTAIN
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 COMMONLY USED RECORDING TECHNIQUES

1. Outline Process Charts Man Type

2. Flow Process Chart Material Type

3. Two Handed Process Chart
Equipment Type
4. Multiple Activity Chart USING TIME SCALE
5. Simo Chart
6. Flow Diagrams
7. String Diagrams
8. Cyclegraph
9. Chronocyclegraph
10.Travel Chart

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 CLASS OF CHANGE
CLASS OF HANDS & WORK PROCESS PRODUCT RAW
CHANGE BODY STATION MATERIAL
MOTION
1 New Minor Same Same Same
Changes

2 New New Same Same Same

3 New New New Same Same

4 New New New Modified Same

5 New New New Modified New

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 CLASSIFICATION OF MOVEMENTS

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
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 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.

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 PRIMARY QUESTIONS
the PURPOSE for which
the PLACE at which
the SEQUENCE in which
the PERSON by whom
the MEANS by which

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 ELIMINIATING
COMBINING
With a view to REARRANGING those activities
OR
SIMPLIFING

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 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.
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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?
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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?
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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 areas
3. Executive actions required to implement the new
method.

• It should also give details regarding :

1. The tools and equipment to be used
2. A description of the method
3. A diagram of the work place layout, jigs/fixtures etc

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 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

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 THE PRINCIPLES OF MOTION ECONOMY
A. Use of the human body
1. The two hands should begin and complete their
movements at the same time
2. Motion of the arms shall be symmetrical and in
opposite directions and should be made simultaneously
3. 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.

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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.
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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.

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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
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 THE TECHNIQUES OF
WORK MEASUREMENT

1. Stop-watch time study

2. Work sampling
3. Predetermined time standards(PTS)
4. Standard Data

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 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.

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 THE QUALIFIED WORKER
A 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
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of the rate corresponding
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to
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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.

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 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.
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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 WITHIN 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

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