Although several techniques have been used for developing time standards, the following methods are the most important:
1. Stopwatch time study
2. Work Sampling
3. Predetermined Data
Stopwatch time study:
Stopwatch time study is the most common time study approach in work measurement. In this technique, the time and rates of working for the job elements carried out under specified conditions for carrying out the job at a defined level of performance.
The Stopwatch time study consists of the following steps:
• Defined the task to be studied
• Break the job down into elements
• Determine the number of observations to make
• Rate the workers performance
• Determine the standard time
Defined the Task:
The time study analyst should be thoroughly familiar with the job. He ensures that the job is being performed efficiently before setting the time standard.
Determining Job Elements:
After defining the task the analyst break the job down into elements. There are several reasons for this phase of elements. First some elements do not have occur in every cycle. Second, the workers proficiency may not be the same and third, elemental breakdown helps in preparing manual.
Timing of Elements:
Once the job is broken down into different elements, the analyst proceeds with actual measurement. The timing is usually done with a standard decimal minute stopwatch.
Determine the number of observations:
The number of cycle must be timed depends on three things.
• Variability
• Desired accuracy
• Desired confidence level
Rating:
Rating is the process in which the time study analyst accesses the rate of working of the worker.
Determine the Standard Time:
Normal time refers the amount of time that a worker takes to perform a job if there are no delays. Factors such as personal delays (getting water to drink, going to rest room), unavoidable delays (like machine breakdown, no power, material non-availability etc) must be considered.
Work Sampling:
Work sampling is a technique for estimating the proportion of time spent by workers or machines on various activities. Work sampling is also used work measurement technique.
Predetermined Data:
When a large number of accurate time studies are required for work, developing them by individual time studies would be very expensive and time consuming.
There are two types of predetermined data:
1. Macro data
2. Micro data
Macro data is applied to much more aggregated work activities such as packing a box, loading a machine etc.
Micro data is expressed in terms of elemental body movements like, reach, move turn, release etc.
