25-08-2017, 09:32 PM
Work Study
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Definition: Work study may be defined as the analysis of a job for the purpose of finding the preferred method of doing it and also determining the standard time to perform it by the preferred (or given) method. Work study, therefore, comprises of two areas of study: method study (motion study) and time study (work measurement).
Role of Work Study in Improving Productivity
In order to understand the role of work study, we need to understand the role of method study and that of time study.
Method study (also sometimes called Work Method Design) is mostly used to improve the method of doing work. It is equally applicable to new jobs. When applied to existing jobs and existing jobs, method study aims to find better methods of doing the jobs that are economical and safe, require less human effort, and need shorter make-ready / put-away time. The better method involves the optimum use of best materials and appropriate manpower so that work is performed in well organized manner leading to increased resource utilization, better quality and lower costs.
It can therefore be stated that through method study we have a systematic way of developing human resource effectiveness, providing high machine and equipment utilization, and making economical use of materials.
Time study, on the other hand, provides the standard time, that is the time needed by worker to complete a job by the standard method. Standard times for different jobs are necessary for proper estimation of
• manpower, machinery and equipment requirements
• daily, weekly or monthly requirement of materials
• production cost per unit as an input to better make or buy decision
• labor budgets
• worker's efficiency and make incentive wage payments.
By the application of method study and time study in any organization, we can thus achieve greater output at less cost and of better quality, and hence achieve higher productivity.
Work Study and Ergonomics
The work study and the ergonomics are the two areas of study having the same objective: design the work system so that for the operator it is safe, and the work is less fatiguing and less time taking.
Method Study
Method study, aims to achieve the better method of doing work, and for this reason method study is sometimes called Work Method Design.
Definition: Method study can be defined as the procedure for systematic recording, analysis and critical examination of existing or proposed method of doing work for the purpose of development and application of easier and more effective method.
Method Study Procedure
The following general steps describe the procedure for making a method study.
1. Select the job – on which method study is to be applied.
2. Obtain information and record.
3. Examine the information critically.
4. Develop the most practical, economical and effective method by considering real limitations of the situation.
5. Install the new method as standard practice.
6. Maintain the standard practice by regular follow up.
Let us consider these steps in some detail.
Selection of Job for Method Study
Practically, any activity or a job is a potential project for improvement but as the work study engineer is to sell his ideas and maintain his existence in the organisation, he should always attempt to select those jobs for improvement which are unpopular among employees or are considered “dirty” by them.
By improving such jobs, he would earn goodwill from the employees as well as the management, and can expect their full cooperation for other studies in the future.
Considerations may be given to the following factors while selecting a job for method study
• Economic Factors
• Technical Factors
• Human Factors
Economic Factors:
If the economic importance of a job is small, it is not wise to start or continue a long study. Priorities should be given to those types of job which offer greater potential for cost reduction. Such jobs are easily identifiable, as they have
• High labour content, i.e. they consume more time
• excessive machine or man idleness
• higher frequency of occurrence, i.e. they have large demand
• bottlenecks in production line
• higher proportion of accidents
• movement of material or men over long distance
• high scrap and reprocessing costs
• high payment of overtime bills.
Technical Factors: The method study engineer must have the necessary technical knowledge about the job to be studied. Only surface knowledge about the subject may not lead to the right solution to the real problem. To illustrate, consider that a particular machine tool in proving bottleneck. The output from this machine is not reaching the assembly line in the required quantity. Through a preliminary study, it is found that it is running at lower speed and feed than that recommended for the pair of work and tool material used. Just increase in speed or feed may not be the solution of this problem. It may be possible that the machine itself is not rigid enough to operate at higher speeds or take a deeper cut. Just increase in speed may increase the output but the quality of job may be seriously affected. Technical expertise in machine tools and metal cutting process would be essential to solve problem of this kind.