Work Sampling Definition

Work sampling is a method in which a large number of instantaneous observations

are made at random time intervals over a period of time.

Each observation records what is happening at that instant and the percentage of
observations recorded for a particular activity or delay/idleness is a measure of the
percentage of time during which that activity or delay/idleness occurs

work sampling is broadly defined as the application of statistical sampling

techniques to the study of work related activity.
Basic Concept

• work sampling is the statistical technique for determining the proportions that is
our target proportions of time spent by workers or machines in various categories of
activities.

• It can be applied to determine machine utilization, worker utilization and the

average time spent performing various types of activities.

• For example, if a work sampling study finds, the work sampling study was conducted
and it finds that workers in a facility spend large amount of their time waiting for
work. So it has been found the time study analyst maybe he visited 8 times in an 8-
hour shift and out of that 4 times if he has found that the workers are waiting for the
raw material to arrive or the material to process waiting for the work.
Basic Concept
 Work sampling is a commonly used industrial engineering technique designed to
measure how resources, again the same thing is being repeated, how resources such
as people, machines, facilities or equipment are being used.

 used for brief observations of workers and machine

 To estimate the allocation of time on various activities

 Based on the findings in this sample, statements can be made about the activity.

 the standards derived from the work sampling might specify the proportion of time
that should be devoted to a specific activity, rather than the actual amount of time
required to perform a task.
The Need for work Sampling

To obtain a complete and accurate picture of the productive time and
idle time of the machines in a specific production area.

Work sampling has 3 uses

 Activity and Delay Sampling

To determine the activities and delays of workers or machines that means to
determine the % of the day the that a person is working and the % that a person is
non working

 Performance Sampling
To measure working time and non working time of a person on a manual task, and a
performance index

 Work Measurement
To establish time standard for an operation
Example of Work Sampling

State Tally Total

Working 17

Idle 03

 There are 17 working observations and 3 idle observations.

 The Percentage working Time is 17/20*100% = 85% and The percentage of idle time 15% .

 If this study covered one operator for an 8 hour day , the results would indicate that the operator
was idle 15 % or 480*0.15=72 minutes of the day

 408 minutes the operator found working

Establishing Confidence Level

Take 5 coins
• Toss each of the coin in one set
• Count number of time a given combination of head and tail is
obtained

 Combination : 0 No. head and 5 No. of tail

 Combination : 0 No. head and 5 No. of tail
 Combination : 1 No. head and 4 No. of tail
 Combination : 2 No. head and 3 No. of tail
 Combination : 3 No. head and 2 No. of tail
 Combination : 4 No. head and 1 No. of tail
 Combination : 5 No. head and 0 No. of tail

• Repeat tossing for 100 time of a set of five coins

Proportional Distribution of heads and tails (100 tosses of 5 coins at a time )

Combination No of
Heads (p) Tails (q) Combinations
5 0 3
4 1 17
3 2 30
2 3 30
1 4 17
0 5 3
Total 100
Distribution of Curve showing probabilities of combinations when large
sample size is used
Confidence Level

 It is important to decide, as to what level of

confidence is desired in the final “Work
Sampling” results.

 The most common confidence level is 95%.

 The area under the curve at 2 sigma or two

standard deviations is 95.45%, which is
rounded off to 95%.

 This means that the probability is that 95%

of the time the random observations will
represent the facts and 5% of the time they
will not.
 Sample size Determination:
For calculating the number of observations required for achieving the desired accuracy,
following formula is used:
 Determining Sample Size example

Determine the percentage of idle time of an automatic screw cutting machine by Work Sampling. Assume that a
confidence level of 95% and an accuracy of ±5% have been considered. Determine how many random observations will
be required to give the desired results.
Solution:
In this example, it is necessary to estimate the value of P first. It means a trial study would be made to get a first estimate
about the percentage of the idle time.
Let us assume that 100 observations were made, out of which 25 observations showed the machine to be idle. The
percentage of idle time, would be 25%, i.e. P = 0.25.
The standard formula is

After the work study is in progress and 500 observations have been taken, a new calculation is to be made in order to
recheck the value for N.
Determination of “Accuracy” for a Given Number of Observations:
When the study is over, a calculation is made to find whether the results are within the desired
accuracy or not.

As ± 4.3% is below + 5% required accuracy, the number of observations

are sufficient.
Numerical 1
• 2500 random observations were conducted in a production shop where 1200
times the observations were found working. Calculate the number of
observations necessary to obtain desire results assuming 95% confidence
level and ± 5% desired accuracy.
Numerical 2
• The study was conducted in a machine shop where 2000 random
observations were taken. 350 observations showed that the machine was
idle. Calculate the number of observations necessary to obtain desire results
assuming 95% confidence level and ± 5% desired accuracy.
Numerical 3
• Total 5000 random observations were conducted in a painting shop where
2500 times the operators were found non working. Determine desired
accuracy to obtain desire results assuming 95% confidence level.

Numerical 4
• The study was conducted in a machine shop where 1000 observations were
found working and 150 observations showed that the machine was idle.
Determine desired accuracy to obtain desire results assuming 95%
confidence level.
Use of Random Numbers

 Each individual moment have an equal opportunity of being chosen

 The observations must be random, unbiased and independent.

 The random numbers table helps to determine the time of day that an
observation should be made

 Used to indicate the order in which the operators should be observed

 The specific location in the department or plant where a reading should be

taken
950622 is the random number

• The first digit of this number might indicate the hour, second and third
digits the minutes

• 950 would indicate 9:50 or 9:30 o’ clock

• 622 might indicate 6:22 or 6.30 O’ clock

• Observations are not made during the lunch periods or scheduled rest
periods.

• A list of random times of any desired length can be obtained.

Control Charts

 Control charts shows graphically whether or not the process is in control

 Enables the analyst to plot the daily or the cumulative results of the work sampling
study

 If a plotted points falls outside the control limits,

this is likely to indicate the some unusual or
abnormal condition may have been present during
that part of the study.


Control Charts

 The 3 sigma limit is used in determining the upper control limit (UCL) and Lower
control Limit (LCL)
 Formula for determining the control limits for p

 Control limits for p = p ± 3 p(1-P)/n

 n is number of daily observation
 n = total number of observations
number of days studied

 p = percentage occurrence of the activity

 p = number of operator idle observations

Total number of observations
Day of Study Total Number of Number of % of day
observations observations " Operator Idle"
" Operator Idle"

1 100 9 9
2 100 10 10
3 100 12 12
4 100 8 8
5 100 6 6
6 100 9 9
7 100 23 23
8 100 9 9
9 100 8 8
10 100 9 9
11 100 9 9
12 100 8 8
 N = Total Number of observations = 1200

 n = no. of daily observations = 1200/12= 100

 p = 120/1200 = 0.10

 Control limits for p = 0.10 ± 3  (0.10*(1-0.10)/100

= 0.10 ± 3 0.0009 = 0.10 ± 0.09
= + 0.19 and + 0.01
= +19% and + 1%
 CONTROL CHART
25

20
UCL

% OCCURENCE
15

10

5
LCL
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

DAY OF STUDY
Control Charts

 The 3 sigma limit is used in determining the upper control limit (UCL) and Lower
control Limit (LCL)
 Formula for determining the control limits for p

 Control limits for p = p ± 3 p(1-P)/n

 n is number of daily observation
 n = total number of observations
number of days studied

 p = percentage occurrence of the activity

 p = number of operator idle observations

Total number of observations
Day of Study Total Number of Number of % of day
observations observations " Operator Idle"
" Operator Idle"

1 100 9 9
2 100 10 10
3 100 12 12
4 100 8 8
5 100 6 6
6 100 9 9
7 100 23 23
8 100 9 9
9 100 8 8
10 100 9 9
11 100 9 9
12 100 8 8
 N = Total Number of observations = 1200

 n = no. of daily observations = 1200/12= 100

 p = 120/1200 = 0.10

 Control limits for p = 0.10 ± 3  (0.10*(1-0.10)/100

= 0.10 ± 3 0.0009 = 0.10 ± 0.09
= + 0.19 and + 0.01
= +19% and + 1%
 CONTROL CHART
25

20
UCL

% OCCURENCE
15

10

5
LCL
0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12

DAY OF STUDY
Procedure for making work sampling study
1) Define the Problem

 State the main objectives or purpose of the study clearly.

 Describe the detailed description of each element of the work.

2) Obtain the approval of the supervisor of the department or section head

concerned in which study is to be made. Obtain the cooperation of the
workers/operators to be studied and they should also understand the
aim/purpose of study

3)Determine the desired accuracy of the final results. Confidence level should also
be stated

4) Make a preliminary estimate of the percentage occurrence of the activity or

delay to be measured.
Procedure for making work sampling study
5)Design the study

 Determine the number of observations to be made

 Determine the number of observers needed. Select and instruct these people.
 Determine the number of days/shifts required for the study
 Plan the schedule of observations such as time for taking and the route to be
followed by the observer.
 Design the observation form

6)Make the observations according to the plan. Analyse and summarize the data

 Make observations and record the data

 summarized the data at the end of each day
 Determine the control limits
 Plot the data on the control chart at the end of each day
Procedure for making work sampling study

7) Check the accuracy or precision of the data at the end of each day

8.) Prepare the report and state conclusion

Procedure for making work sampling study
1) Define the Problem

 State the main objectives or purpose of the study clearly.

 Describe the detailed description of each element of the work.

2) Obtain the approval of the supervisor of the department or section head

concerned in which study is to be made. Obtain the cooperation of the
workers/operators to be studied and they should also understand the
aim/purpose of study

3)Determine the desired accuracy of the final results. Confidence level should also
be stated

4) Make a preliminary estimate of the percentage occurrence of the activity or

delay to be measured.
Procedure for making work sampling study
5)Design the study

 Determine the number of observations to be made

 Determine the number of observers needed. Select and instruct these people.
 Determine the number of days/shifts required for the study
 Plan the schedule of observations such as time for taking and the route to be
followed by the observer.
 Design the observation form

6)Make the observations according to the plan. Analyse and summarize the data

 Make observations and record the data

 summarized the data at the end of each day
 Determine the control limits
 Plot the data on the control chart at the end of each day
Procedure for making work sampling study

7) Check the accuracy or precision of the data at the end of each day

8.) Prepare the report and state conclusion

Example
 The objective of performing work sampling study to monitor the authors daily activities for a
period of 20 days.
 To analyse the proportions of time spent in the various activities performed by him during the
period of study
 How can use the time more efficiently to achieve his goals.

Following activity categories: -

1.Sports
2.Study.
3.Attending classes.
4.Other work
• Preliminary Study Results:
300 observations in 20 days i.e. 15 observations a day.
The random time for taking the observation were generated using the randbetween function in
Excel©. The author took random values between 354 and 979 and converted them into time format
arranging them into chronological order.
Determination of standard time using Work Sampling

Work Sampling can be used profitability for measuring log cycle operations and where
people are employed in groups, and activities that do not lend themselves to time
study.
 Determine the percentage of the day that a person is idle and the percentage of the
day he is working.
 Determine the average performance index
 Allowances
 Standard time estimation

Standard Time per Piece= Total Time Working Performance

time in %
in minutes * * Index in %
Allowance
⊹
Total Number of Pieces Produced
Example
An operator on a drill press works for 8 hour day. Work sampling study was
conducted at drill press shop. Work sampling study shows that operator was
idle 15% of the of the day and an operator worked for the remainder of the day
at an average performance index of 110%. An operator produced 420 pieces of
acceptable quality during the day. The allowances for this drill press operation is
15%. Estimate standard time

Solution:

Total Time expended by operator = 480 Minutes

Number of parts produced = 420 Pieces
Working time in % = 85%
Average performance Index= 110%
Total Allowances = 15%
 480×0.85×1.10 100
Standard Time per piece = ×
420 100−15

= 1.26 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠

Example 2 :
A work sampling study was carried out in a production unit which
give following results
Total time observed = 6000 Minutes
No. of working Observations = 3000
No. of Idle observations = 270
No. of Parts Produced = 500
Performance Rating = 80%
Allowance =10%
Calculate Standard Time
 6000×0.91×0.80 100
Standard Time per piece = ×
500 100−10

= 9.70 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
Establishing Time standard for an assembly operation

Work sampling study was conducted on a mechanical sub assembly operation. 11

operators were studied during a 3 day period . Each day 240 observations were
made, the analyst found the 11 operators working 711 times and the performance
index was noted during the work. The total time expended by the operators,
including working time and idle time , was 13650 minutes. The number of minutes
of working time was 13473. During this time period 16314 sub assemblies of
acceptable quality. The data collected is shown in following table
Performance Index Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
100 3 6 1
105 13 22 9
110 32 21 24
115 48 45 17
120 47 49 39
125 27 28 56
130 26 13 22
135 15 8 11
140 14 15 22
145 8 20 27
150 2 10 11
 Performance Computaion of Avearge
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Total
Index performace Index
100 3 6 1 10 1000
105 13 22 9 44 4620
110 32 21 24 77 8470
115 48 45 17 110 12650
120 47 49 39 135 16200
125 27 28 56 111 13875
130 26 13 22 61 7930
135 15 8 11 34 4590
140 14 15 22 51 7140
145 8 20 27 55 7975
150 2 10 11 23 3450
Working
Observations 235 237 239 711 87900
Idle Opbservations
5 3 1 9
87900/711= 123.6
Total Observations
240 240 240 720
• Total Time expended by operator : 13650 Minutes

• Number of parts produced=16314 Pieces

• Working time in Per Cent = 711/720=98.7%

• Average performance index =123.6%

• Total Allowance = 15%

13650×0.987×1.236 100
Standard Time per piece = ×
16314 100−15

= 1.20 𝑀𝑖𝑛𝑢𝑡𝑒𝑠
 Advantages of Work Sampling Over Time Study
1. Operator is not subjected to long-period of observations.

2. Group operations can be easily studied by a single analyst.

3. It does not require continuous observation for a long period of time.

4. Many operations or activities which are impractical or costly to be measured by time

study can be measured by this.

5. Observations may be taken over a period of days or weeks, thus decreasing the
chance of day to day or week to week variations affecting the results.
6. The man hours spent by the analyst are much less.

7. A work sampling study can be stopped at any time without affecting the results.

8. In this, random observations are taken by avoiding prolonged observations.

9. This produces less fatigue and are less tedious to observer.

10. It generally requires less time in calculating the results.

11. No stop-watch or any other timing device is needed.

 Application of work sampling

1.Work sampling can be applied for the estimation of the percentage utilization of
machine tools, cranes, fork trucks etc.

2. Work sampling can also be used to estimate the unavoidable delay times for
deciding the delay allowances.

3. To estimate the percentage of the time consumed by various job activities, i.e.
supervision, repair, inspection etc.

4. Work sampling is also used to find out time standards, specially where the job
is not repetitive and where time study is not possible, e.g. for maintenance work,
office work, repair work, ship building etc.
 Disadvantages of Work Sampling over Time Study

1. It is not economical to study a single operator or machine or for studying

operators or machines located over wide areas.

2. It does not permit finer breakdown of activities and delays.

3. Study made of a group presents average while there is no information about the
magnitude of individual differences.

4. Management and workers may not be able to understand work sampling as

easily as they do time study.

5. Some-time no record is kept about the study on the operator, therefore, a new
study must be made when a change occurs in any element.
Establishing Time standard for an assembly operation

Work sampling study was conducted on a mechanical sub assembly operation. 11

operators were studied during a 3 day period . Each day 240 observations were
made, the analyst found the 11 operators working 711 times and the performance
index was noted during the work. The total time expended by the operators,
including working time and idle time , was 13650 minutes. The number of minutes
of working time was 13473. During this time period 16314 sub assemblies of
acceptable quality. The data collected is shown in following table
Performance Index Day 1 Day 2 Day 3
100 3 6 1
105 13 22 9
110 32 21 24
115 48 45 17
120 47 49 39
125 27 28 56
130 26 13 22
135 15 8 11
140 14 15 22
145 8 20 27
150 2 10 11
 Performance Computaion of Avearge
Day 1 Day 2 Day 3 Total
Index performace Index
100 3 6 1 10 1000
105 13 22 9 44 4620
110 32 21 24 77 8470
115 48 45 17 110 12650
120 47 49 39 135 16200
125 27 28 56 111 13875
130 26 13 22 61 7930
135 15 8 11 34 4590
140 14 15 22 51 7140
145 8 20 27 55 7975
150 2 10 11 23 3450
Working
Observations 235 237 239 711 87900
Idle Opbservations
5 3 1 9
87900/711= 123.6
Total Observations
240 240 240 720
• Total Time expended by operator : 19500 Minutes

• Number of parts produced=2565 assemblies

• Proportion of working Per Cent = 588/600

• Average performance index =103%

• Total Allowance = 12%

19500×0.98×1.03 100
Standard Time per piece = ×
2565 100−12

= 𝟖. 𝟕𝟐 𝑴𝒊𝒏𝒖𝒕𝒆𝒔
A work sampling study was carried out to determine standard time. The
observations were made at random intervals of time for 100 hours. Total 10000
observations were carried out. Out of 10000 observations , 2000 observations
involved in non-working activities. The ratio between manual and machine
element was 1:3. Average performance rating was estimated as 90%. Total
number of pieces produced during the period of the study were 600. calculate
standard time of the job by considering 20% as allowances.
Solution:
Step1. Calculate overall time per piece (To)

100×60
To = = 10 Minutes
600

Step2. Calculation of effective time per Piece (Te)

Te = To × Proportion of productive observation to total observation

𝑁𝑝
= To ×
𝑁
8000
= 10 ×
10000
= 8 Minutes
Solution:
Step3 . Calculate Machine controlled and Hand controlled time per piece
3
Machine controlled observations = ×observations involving productive activities
4
3
= × 8000
4
= 6000
1
Hand Controlled observations = ×observations involving productive activities
4
1
= × 8000 = 2000
4

Machine controlled time peer piece (Tm)

6000 6000
Tm = Te × =8×
8000 8000
=6 Minutes
2000 2000
Th = Te × =8×
8000 8000
= 2 Minutes
Step 4: Calculate Normal Time

NT = Th × 𝑹𝒂𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 + Tm
= 2 × 0.90 + 6
= 7.8 Minutes

Step 5 : Calculate Standard Time

Standard Time = Normal Time + Allowances
= 7.8 +(7.8 × 0.20)
= 9.36 MINUTES
Given the data below, compute for the standard time

Information Data for one day

Total time expended by operator (working

time and idle time) 480 mins

Number of parts produced 420 pieces

Working time in percent 85%
Average performance index 110%
Total allowances 15%
2. A work sampling study was made in an assembly unit for the purpose of developing
its standard time. The study was conducted for duration of 2500 minutes during
which 550 instantaneous observations were made at random intervals. The results of
study indicated that the worker on the job was working 75 percent of the time and
assembled 380 pieces of product during the study period. The work analyst rated the
performance at 95 %. If the management wishes to permit an 18 % allowance for
fatigue, delays and personal time, what is the standard time of this operation?
3. The following data refers to a sampling study of production of one component:
•Duration of data collection 5 days @ 8 hours per day
•Number of operators = 10
•Allowances given for the process =15%
•Production quantity in 5 days = 6000 components

Days 1 2 3 4 5
No. of observations 230 240 200 180 225
Occurrence of activity 200 190 170 150 210

Calculate standard time of production of component if average performance

rating of the operator is 120% and the entire operation is manual.
4. In a machine shop work sampling was conducted for 160 hrs. in order to estimate
the standard time. Total numbers of observations recorded were 3500. There were
600 no working activities. Ratio between manual to machine element was 2:1.
Average performance index is 105% and total numbers of jobs produced during the
study were 8000. Rest and personal allowances taken together will be 17% of normal
time. Determine the standard time per job.
Overall time = 160*60/8000=9600/8000=1.2Minutes
Effective Time Te= 1.2*(2900/3500)= 0.994
Human Controlled Time Th= (2/3)*0.994= 0.663
Machine Controlled Time Tm = (1/3)* 0.994 = 0.331
Normal Time = Th*Rating + Tm
= 0.663*1.05+0.331= 1.0261
Standard Time = Normal time + Allowances
= 1.0261+(1.0261*0.17)
= 1.2 minutes
=
 Application of work sampling

1.Work sampling can be applied for the estimation of the percentage utilization of
machine tools, cranes, fork trucks etc.

2. Work sampling can also be used to estimate the unavoidable delay times for
deciding the delay allowances.

3. To estimate the percentage of the time consumed by various job activities, i.e.
supervision, repair, inspection etc.

4. Work sampling is also used to find out time standards, specially where the job
is not repetitive and where time study is not possible, e.g. for maintenance work,
office work, repair work, ship building etc.
 Advantages and Disadvantages 0f work sampling in comparison with time
study

1. Many operations or activities which are impractical or costly to measure by time

study can be measured by work sampling
2. A simultaneously work sampling study of several operators or machines may be
made by a single observer. An Analyst is needed for each operator or machines
when continuous time studies are made.
3. Requires fewer man hours and costs less to make study a work sampling study
4. Observations may be taken over a period of days or weeks, thus decreasing the
chance of day-to-day or week to week variation affecting the results.
5. A work sampling study may be interrupted at any time without affecting he
results.
6. It is not necessary to use trained time study analysts as observers for work
sampling studies unless performance sampling is required.
Advantages and Disadvantages 0f work sampling in comparison with time
study

7.With work sampling the analysts makes an instantaneous observations of the

operator at random intervals during working , thus making prolonged time
studies unnecessary

8. This produces less fatigue and are less tedious to observer.

9. It generally requires less time in calculating the results.

10. No stop-watch or any other timing device is needed

Disadvantages 0f work sampling in comparison with time study

1. Work sampling is not economical for studying a single operator or machine, or for
studying operators and machines located over wide areas.
2. Time study permits a finer breakdown of activities and delays than is possible with
work sampling
3. The operator may change his or her work pattern upon sight of the observer. If this
occurs, the results of such work sampling study may be little value.
4. Management and workers may not understand statistical work sampling as readily
as they do time study.