The subject of work study covers the

systematic investigation of the human

activities necessary to perform a given task
economically.


1. To find out the most economical way of
doing work
2. Standardize the methods, materials, tools
and equipment
3. Accurately determining the time required by
a qualified and experienced worker at
normal pace to do the work at a defined
level of performance
4. Assisting in the training of the workers on
new methods

Work study is classified in two areas

Method Study

Work Measurement



It is the systematic recording and critical
examination of existing and proposed
ways of doing work as a means of
developing and applying easier and most
effective methods and reducing cost.
a) To improve the process and procedure
b) To improve the workplace layout
c) To design the efficient equipment
d) Economy in human effort and reduction in
unnecessary fatigue
e) Improvement in the use of materials,
machines and manpower
f) Development of better working environment
1. Select the job to be studied
2. Record the relevant facts and data about the
present method by direct observation
3. Analyze or examine these data/facts
critically
4. Develop an improved method
5. Define the new method
6. Install the improved new method
7. Maintain the new method
The job with the following characteristics is
more suitable for method study
i. Jobs with large work content
ii. Jobs with long delivery schedules
iii. Jobs with large man or machine idle time
iv. Jobs with poor interest of the workers
v. Jobs with large variations in the output
vi. Jobs with quality variations

The most commonly used techniques for the
recording of facts and data are charts and
diagrams.
These charts can be classified in three types
i. Process Charts
ii. Activity Charts
iii. Movement Charts

Operation O : Indicates the main steps in a
process, method or procedure.
Inspection - : Indicates an inspection for
quality and/or check for quantity.
Transport - : Indicates the movement of
workers, material, or equipment from place
to place, except when such movements are a
part of an operation or caused by inspection
Delay D : Indicates delay in sequence of
events
Storage - : Indicates the controlled storage
in which the material is received into or
issued from storage.

They can be further divided into
Operation or outline process charts
Flow Process charts

They can be further divided into

Man-machine chart
Left hand-right hand activity chart
They can be further divided into
Travel Charts
Flow Diagrams
String Diagrams
The data regarding the existing method is
examined systematically. The area of
investigation includes
Purpose
Place
Person
Sequence
Means
The investigation gathers information about
the best possible alternative in each area of
all activities one by one
The analysis of existing methods leads to the
development of alternative method.
The alternative method is modified as a result
of practical trials and tests until a new
practical method is developed

After Practical Test the activities of the new
method are defined as written standards.
It is important that the improved method is
properly defined as a written standard
practice for future reference and periodic
follow up
To install the improved method in practice,
the workers are first trained about the
improved method.
After the training of the workers the
improved methods is then adopted in actual
practice
Periodic follow up of the standard or
improved method is necessary to ensure that
the method is actually being practiced as
defined.
It involves the application of time study
techniques designed to establish the time
for a qualified worker to carry out a
specified job at a desired level of
performance
The aim of time study is to establish a
standard time for a given task, which may be
taken as a basis of loading, scheduling, wage
payment and incentive schemes etc.

The study is carried out on jobs which have
been standardized after method study.
It is defined as the time taken by a qualified
and experienced worker to perform a given
task while working at normal speed or tempo

A worker working at normal tempo is rated as
100

Normal time = Observed time X Rating/100
The mental comparison of the tempos or
speed of working of a worker with the normal
tempo or speed of work is called rating

On a scale taking index of 100 for normal a faster
worker might get a rating of 105, 110, 115 etc and
a slower worker might get a rating of 95, 90, 85
etc.

A fast worker rated 120 takes 8 mins to do a
task and a slow worker rated 80 takes 12
mins to do a task find the normal time of the
task
Normal time = Observed time X Rating/100
For 1
st
worker NT = 8X120/100 = 9.6 mins
For 2
nd
worker NT = 12X 80/100= 9.6 mins

The normal time of a task is irrespective of a worker
speed.
Standard time = Normal Time + Allowances

In actual condition it is not possible for a worker
to work continuously for 8 hours. Thus Various
allowances are allowed to the worker.
I. Personal Allowance --- 5%
II. Process Allowance --- 0-10%
III. Fatigue Allowance --- 0-10%
IV. Delay Allowance --- 0-5%
V. Policy Allowance --- Depends upon company
Total of 15-25% allowances may be added to
normal time for determining standard time.
It will be out next lecture
DISCUSSION