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5 Direct Time Study

This document discusses the process and key considerations for conducting a direct time study. It involves directly observing and timing a worker performing a task using a stopwatch. The time study analyst divides the task into work elements, times each element over multiple cycles, evaluates the worker's performance level, and uses the data to calculate a standard time for the task. Important steps include documenting the standard work method, properly timing and rating work elements, and accounting for allowances to determine the final standard time. The goal is to establish an objective measure of the time a typically efficient worker takes to complete the task.

Uploaded by

Owl Bezarius
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
161 views

5 Direct Time Study

This document discusses the process and key considerations for conducting a direct time study. It involves directly observing and timing a worker performing a task using a stopwatch. The time study analyst divides the task into work elements, times each element over multiple cycles, evaluates the worker's performance level, and uses the data to calculate a standard time for the task. Important steps include documenting the standard work method, properly timing and rating work elements, and accounting for allowances to determine the final standard time. The goal is to establish an objective measure of the time a typically efficient worker takes to complete the task.

Uploaded by

Owl Bezarius
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Direct Time Study

Sections:
1. Direct Time Study Procedure
2. Number of Work Cycles to be Timed
3. Performance Rating
4. Time Study Equipment
Direct Time Study - Defined
 Direct and continuous observation of a task
using a stopwatch or other timekeeping device
to record the time taken to accomplish the task
 While observing and recording the time, an
appraisal of the worker’s performance level is
made to obtain the normal time for the task
 The data are then used to compute a standard
time for the task
Direct Time Study Procedure
1. Define and document the standard method
2. Divide the task into work elements
3. Time the work elements to obtain the
observed time Tobs
4. Evaluate worker’s pace relative to standard
performance to obtain normal time Tn
 Called performance rating (PR)
Tn = Tobs(PR)
5. Apply allowance factor to compute standard
time
Tstd = Tn(1 + Apfd)
Document the Standard Method
 Determine the “one best method”
 Seek worker’s advice if possible
 Documentation should include:
 All of the steps in the method
 Special tools, gauges, equipment and
equipment settings (e.g., feeds and speeds)
if applicable
 Irregular elements and their frequency
 Once the standard method is defined, it should
not be possible for the operator to make further
improvements
13.1

Form to document
the standard
method
Why Documentation is Important
 Batch production – repeat orders after a
significant time lapse
 Methods improvements by operator – to
restudy task, must be able to prove a change
has occurred
 Disputes about method – operator complains
that standard is too tight
 Is operator using the standard method?
 Data for standard data system – good
documentation is essential for developing a
standard data system
Divide Task into Work Elements
Guidelines:
 Each work element should consist of a logical
group of motion elements
 Beginning point of one element should be the
end point of the preceding element
 Each element should have a readily identifiable
end point
 Work elements should not be too long nor too
short
 Separate irregular elements, machine
elements, internal elements
Time the Work Elements
 Each element should be timed over several
work cycles to obtain a reliable average
 Stopwatch timing methods:
1. Snapback timing method – stopwatch is
reset to zero at the start of each work
element
2. Continuous timing method – stopwatch is
allowed to run continuously throughout the
duration of the work cycle
Advantages of Each Timing Method
 Advantages of snapback method:
 Analyst can readily see how element times
vary from cycle to cycle
 No subtraction necessary to obtain
individual element times
 Advantages of continuous method:
 Elements cannot be omitted by mistake
 Regular and irregular elements can be more
readily distinguished
 Manipulation and resetting of the stopwatch
is reduced
Performance Rating
Analyst judges the performance or pace of the
worker relative to the definition of standard
performance used by the organization
 Standard performance PR = 100%
 Slower pace than standard PR < 100%
 Faster pace than standard PR > 100%
 Normal time Tn = Tobs(PR)
13.2

Direct time study


form
Apply Allowances
 A PFD allowance is added to the normal time
to compute the standard time
Tstd = Tn(1 + Apfd)
where Apfd = allowance factor for personal time,
fatigue, and delays
 The function of the allowance factor is to inflate
the value of standard time in order to account
for the various reasons why the worker loses
time during the shift
Example
 A direct time study was taken on a manual
work element using the snapback method. The
regular cycle consisted of three elements, a, b,
and c. Element d is an irregular element
performed every five cycles.
Work element a b c d
Observed time (min) 0.56 0.25 0.50 1.10
Performance rating 100% 80% 110% 100%

 Determine (a) normal time and (b) standard


time for the cycle
Solution
(a) Normal time:
Tn = 0.56(1.00) + 0.25(0.80) + 0.50(1.0)
+ 1.10(1.0)/5 = 1.53 min
(b) Standard time:
Tstd = 1.53(1 + 0.15) = 1.76 min
Machine Cycle in the Task
 If the work cycle includes machine-paced
elements, then standard time may include a
machine allowance applied to the machine
time
Tstd = Tnw(1 + Apfd) + Tm(1 + Am)
where Tnw = normal time for worker (external)
elements, Tm = machine cycle time (assumed
constant), and Am = machine allowance
Cycle-to-Cycle Time Variations
Result from the following:
 Variations in hand and body motions
 Variation in the placement of parts and tools
 Variations in the quality of the starting work
units
 Operator mistakes
 Variations in worker pace
 Timing errors by analyst
Number of Cycles to be Timed
After several cycles, calculate sample
standard deviation s
 x  x 
2
s=
n 1
Using the Student t distribution,
2
 t / 2 s 
n=  
 kx 
Performance Rating
Analyst observes and rates the worker’s
performance relative to the definition of
standard performance
 The most difficult and controversial step in
direct time study
 Potential conflict of interest between the
worker and the analyst
 Most common performance rating method is
based on speed or pace
Traits of a Good Rating System
 Consistency among tasks
 A worker who can perform at 125% on one
task should be able to do the same on other
tasks
 Consistency among analysts
 Easy to explain and easy to understand
 Based on a well-defined concept of standard
performance
 Rate performance during the observation
 Worker notification
Time Study Equipment
1. Stopwatch
 Mechanical stopwatches
 Electronic stopwatches
2. Video cameras
 Provides visual and audio record of
method used by worker
3. Computerized techniques in direct time study
 Use of PCs and PDAs
Mechanical Stopwatch

Calibrated in
decimal minutes
Electronic Stopwatch

LED read-out

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