17

Chapter Introduction to Work Study

"Work study is the generalized name used to describe a complete set of techniques
through which work can be simplified, standuardized and measured. Work study investgales
the work done in a organization and it aims at finding the best and most elfreent way
utilizing the available resources i.e. 4Ms, or Materials, Machines, Manpower and Money."

INSIDE THIS CHAPTER

17.1 Introduction 17.5 Techniques of Work Study
17.2 Definition and Concept of 17.6 Work Study and Management
Work Study 17.7 Work Study and Productivity
17.3 Need for Work Study 17.8 Objective of Method Study
17.4 Advantages of Work Study 17.9 Objectives of Work Measurement

17.1 INTRODUCTION
Work study is the investigation, by means of a consistent system of the work done in an organization in
order to attain the best utilisation of resources i.e. Materials,
Machines, Men and Money. All the
technologies and management systems are related with productivity. Work study is one of the basic
techniques of improving productivity. In order to resolve this aspect, work study aims:
) To analyse the work in order to achieve work
simplification and thereby improving productivity
of the system.
(i) To have optimum utilization of resources i.e. 4 Ms.
(ii) To evaluate the work content through work measurement.
(iv) To set time standards for various jobs.
In nutshell work study is
mainly concerned with the examination of human work. In fact
planning is
not possible unless knows how long it will take to do a
one
particular job. Thus time is very important
to the manufacturer who must
keep to promise, to estimate quantities and to other industrial and
business arrangements or
organizations.
Work study is not a theoretical
concept but essentially a practical one and deals with human
who have their own attitude and
style of working So the success of work study is beings
dependent upon the
.

relations between the

labour/employees
various working methods. Since the
and the management. Work
study involves lot of changes in
manpower in general does not like
as already doing, so there will changes but
always be a tendency to resist any modification or newprefers
to continue

by work study people (officers/workers) and the method suggested

manpower and the workers have confidence in the

410
 INTRODUCTION TO wORK STUDY
411
ability, integrity and
fair-mindedness
will be accepted willingly by the of work study man, there is a good
manpower.
17.2 DEFINITION AND CONCEPT
OF wORK STUDY
Generally work study is used to describe a
be simplified, standardized and complete set of techniques with tne e
measured. When it is possible to
methods are designed and
introduced
simplify the
exsung
advantages are possible:
such that the task/activity becomes simpler than TOow"E

() More production with less effort so goods/ products are available at cheaper
raewithout adaon
(u) Better equipment utilization shall lead to marked increase in the total production
of new resources, thus
productivity may improve.
These advantages are possible through the willing cooperation of the
people engaged in prouu
work. In view of these far reaching benefits. work
study has become important tool of managenet
an
In industries work study is considered as a tool of improving productivity by way of
(i) Resource utilization to a
satisfactory level.
(i) Capital investment to introduce latest technology.
(il) Better management of the system.
L British Standard Institution defines work study as a generie term for those techniques particularly
"Method study" and "Work Measurement"" which are used in the examination of work in all its
contexts and which leads systematically to the investigation of all the factors which affect the
etficiency and economy of the situation being reviewed in order to incorporate improvements at
various levels.
II. Work study may be defined as "The systematic eritical. objective and imaginative examination
of all factors governing the operational efficiency of any specific activity in order to achieve/
effect improvement."
Thus work study is the investigation by means of a consistent system of the work done in an

organization in order to achieve the best possible utilization of resources i.e., man, machines and materials
available. Every organization tries to achieve best quality production of various products in the minimum
possible time. The time required to manutfacture a product / item depends on the manufacturing procedure.
One phase of work study called Method Study or Motion Study aims at determining the best possible
manufacturing procedure which involves, least time and cause minimum fatigue to workers employed
for performing the work.
In short method study is concerned with determination of the best way of doing a job. Method study
of the existing method of doing a job in order to
may be defined as the systematic investigation
less tiring method or procedure
develop and install an easy, quick, effective, efficient and comparatively
for doing the same job at cheaper rates. This is generally achieved by eliminating unnecessary
movements

or motions involved in a certain procedure or by changing the sequence of the operation of the process

itself.
time allowedto
The role of time study or work measurement starts with the determination of the
complete the job by the developed improved procedure for doing that job. Thus
work measurement may
to
be defined as the application of different techniques to measure and establish the time required
complete the job by a qualified worker at a defined level of performance.
 412 INDUSTRIAL ENGINEERING AND ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT
1 7 3 NEED FOR WORK STUDY
17.3
Pracinies of wor sudy have een usai suce long to dentity the improvements to be incorporated.
when inustrial set up was simple and imolvad lesser probiems. The industries of today with increased
omplexities and mademisation naturally denmand a more systematic approach like work study in its
present form for solutin of various pmblenms. Work study is most valuable tool of management because:
( l t is a d i t means of imprving pmaiuctivity of the systeni involhing very less or no cost.
T h e appraach is simple. systematic. consistent and based on handling of facts. Thus the part
playad by opinions in taking deisions is minimized.
~i) No factor affevting the efficieney of operation is overlooked in this approach.
( l t provides most aceurate means of
setting standards of performance which are helpful in the
process of praduction planning and oontrol.
()
Application of work study esult in immediate savings
(7) it is a universal tooi tor management.
(177) it is a most penetrating tool ot investigation available to the management ot the industriai unit.

17.4 ADVANTAGES OF WORK STUDY

) I t is diect means of improving praductivity
2 I t results in unitormm and
improvcd production tlow.
3)It reduces the manufacturnng cos.
(4)With its help fast and accurate delivery daies an pOSsible.
5) It provides better service and
consumer satistaction.
6) It improves
employee-employer relations.
(7) It provides job satisfaction and
job security to workers.
(8) Better working conditions are
possible for workers.
9) t is most
important tool of analysis and can help in providing better wages
scientific basis. to workers on

(10) Most accurate method and

yet provides a sound basis for
incentives for man power. production planning. control and
(11) Every one concerned with
industries is benetited from it such as
of the unit. worker, consumer and
management
17.5 TECHNIQUES OF WORK STUDY
Basicallythere are two
techniques:
Method study and work
measurement as shown in Fig. 17.1
Thus work
study is the tem used to embrace the techniques of Method
which are used lo Study and Work Measurement
ensure the best
specified activity. utilization of nmanpower and material
resources in carrying out
The
sequential order of the comect
results of method procedure to be adopted for having cffective or
study includes the
following: purpose oriented
)Select the work/procedure to he
(i) Record all the relevant analysed.
information related with the
various recording devices or existing work system with the help ot
techniques.
 413
STUDy
ODUCTION TO WORK
INTROD

Work Study

Method Study Work Measurements

Iis related with the study of methods of work

It is related with measurement
the best
of work for a job to design effective required for a job, to arrive at
and cficient work system in order method of work, improved planning
to achieve process improvements and control.
improved layout, better working
enviroment and reduced fatigue.
Fig. 17.1
Make eritical examination of collected data/facts.
after giving due consideration
iv) Develop and improve the method which is economical and practical
to the alternative method possible.
() Install the new selected method with proper instructions.
() Maintain the latest standards of methods through poriodic verification etc
Similarly. the logical order of correct procedure to be adopted for having effective results or woT

measurement includes the followings:

Divide the selected procedure into small work elements.
work elements.
i) By direct observations record the relevant information regarding the various
(ii) in the light of relevant information examine the work critically.
(iv) Measure the work content in the terms of tine of the work elements involved in method being

adopted.
(1) Define and design the new selected method.
(vi) Finally convert the work content time in standard time
17.6 WORK STUDY AND MANAGEMENT
Generally, two types of difficulties are experienced from the management side. Firstly. it is human
psychology that any change in the existing method is considered an interruption in a comfortable
situation in which the routines have been set up.
Secondly the managers feel that their role of management has been taken up by work study experts
when the work study experts are active in the plant. Also sometimes supervisory staff like foremen do
not co-ordinate with these experts with the result that workers also do not care for these experts and do
not try to incorporate their suggestions in the work being done by them.
This problem can be solved, if all concerned are clear that the work study department is like a tool
ot the management which helps it to improve the productivity of the system.
Further the successful implementation of the results of the work study programmes depends on the
management of the industry/conmpany/enterprise. Depending upon the attitude of the management the
things may take upwards or downwards swing. It the results of work study programmes are not
implemented in true sense, the workers and other concerned
people loose their faith in work suudy
department and thus it becones more or less inetfective.
At the same time the
progressive and Job oriented managers rather invite and
suggestions from all spheres of workers and other employees. encourage the
of its They analyse the suggestions in the light
technicality and economic viability before implementing or
discussed with different employees. In this way most of the rejecting them and these are also
employees are aware of these programines
 ORGANIZATION MANAGEMENT
INDUSTRIAL
ENGINEERING AND
414 cooperation of employvees is
1s
future. Thus good
in near
implemented
and schemes which
might be
of these schemes. They
set. work
achievement of targets
obtained for the mcant for
implementalion
involved in the decision
makina
is really
The middle management since they are
the s u c c e s s of the programme
with the intelligency
of people involved in
enthusiastically to see concerned along
of all people must
process. Thus
it is the cooperation implementation work study
to succeed. For successful
work study which makes the system
observe the following rules:
orders to workers directly.
should not give workers at any level.
(1) Work study be discussed with the
man
must not
outside the purview of work study affairs.
(2) The matter
superintendent must be sought regarding managerial
(3) The help of foreman or
introduction of workers through
their
must seek the
(4) In the beginning, the work study man

foreman or incharge.

17.7 WORK STUDY AND PRODUCTIVITY

would help in realising this
Work study indicates how resources can be effectively utilised and study
etc.
aim. The may be men, machines, materials and money
resources

As Is evident from the definition of work study that it reduces

the wastage of time increases the
of the system.
efficiency of man and machines so this technique leads to increase the productivity
According V.K.R. Menon productivity implies constant urge to find better, easier, cheaper, quicker
to
and safer method of doing a job, manufacturing a product or providing a service. But it is quite clear
that most of these objectives can be achieved by different activities of work study e.g. the economic
position of our country can be improved in comparison to other countries if we improve our productivity
and performance in various fields.
Likewise to fight inflation we must increase the productivity. The battle fields of this fight are every
where these resources are involved. The agriculture and industrial sectors are the important areas where
productivity improvement is essential and it should be emphasized. Similarly other places like offices.
teaching institutions and other government bodies also need productivity improvement if the society
and the country is to move ahead.
Thus our aim must be to make people more
productivity conscious if their standard of living is to be
improved. Productivity is thus the key to prosperity of individual, an
organisation and of a nation.
Increase in productivity shall result in:
(1) Higher profits due to increase in production
(2) So higher wages and incentives can be
given to
workers/employees with increased profits.
(3) Goods produced will be cheaper.
(4) Brings prosperity to the nation
In brief "Work
Study is an
organised and continued effort to improve productivity and
reduce the costs." For this
objective a work study engineer must lead the way in effectivequality a
resources i.e. man, machines, materials and money. utilizatic
17.8 OBJECTIVES OF METHOD STUDY
Some important aims of method study are:
(1) Better design of
plant
Less faligue to workers equipment
and buildings.
(2)
by avoiding unnecessary movements of
(3) Better working conditions and manpower.
environnment for
(4)
utilisation of materials, workers/employees.
To have more effective
(5) Better product quality. machines and manpower and
money.
INTRODUCTION TO WOHK STUDY
415
(6) licicnt and last materal
handling equiprment
(7 Teds to stadardisation, ratonalisation, simplification and
( FIficient planning of the sectiom specialisation
()Strenlncd working procedures.
17.9 OBJECTIVES OF WORK
MEASUREMENT
EIcctive planning and control of
production, distribution and administration can not be achieved
unles ihese are based on lact. One of
the most important of these facts is the time required for Job
cOmplelOn which can be obtained by motion study or work measurement. Other objectives Or work
MCaurcincnt are as follows

O)Wien lwo allernative methods which

seem cqually advantageous, one which requires less ime
for completion of the
job (1.e. faster) can be established.
2) The Inan power
required for a job or new plant can be determined on the basis of accurate
knowledge of the amount of work that has to be done so it
helps in manpower economy.
(3) Work measurement data
provides reliable basis to decide equipment
(4) Provides requisite information for effective
production planning and improving efficiency of the
system
(5) Provides basis for fair and reliable incentive schemes.
(6) Decides rcalistic labour
budgeting and provides a basis for standard costing system.
(7) Work measurement results in eifective control.
(8) Provides information for estimating the delivery dates to customers.
(9) Work measurement ensures that teams are
evenly balanced by each work man having an
equal
amount of work to do.

QUESTIONS
I. Discuss the position of "Work Study Department" in the organizalional structure of a
2. Make out how work manufacturing unit.
study is useful for management, industrial productivity and the
3. Define and
explain the concept of productivity, how it is related to work study?
man power
employed.
4. Discuss the role
played by work study in improving industrial productivity.
5. Explain the human
aspects of work study
6. Discuss the purpose and
scope of work study.
7. Discuss the position of work
(i) Machine Tool
study department in the organization chart of following industries:
ii) Automobile
Manufacturing Industry
Manufacturing Industry
8. What is the need of
work study?
Enlist its advantages.
9. Discuss in brief the relation between
work study and
10. Enlist the management of an industrial unit.
objectives Method study and Work
of
11. Describe the Measurement
systematic procedure of work study, explaining all steps.

12. Define work (K.U.K. B.Tech 7th Sem

study, state its cbjectives. (Non-Dept.) Sep. 1995)
13. Bricfly
explain how use of work study leads to higher (K.U.K. B.Tech. Dec. 2003)
14. How work study is useful for productivity in a
manufacturing unit.
manageinent, socieiy. labour and industrial productivity?