Quezon City University

Work Study and Measurement Industrial Engineering Department

Week 11 Module 11 Lecture Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE AE

WORK SAMPLING

I. Learning Objectives:
1. Define work work sampling
2. Determine the purpose of work sampling in conducting a time study
3. Compute the number of observations needed in work sampling

II. Introduction
Work sampling is the method of finding the percentage occurrence of a
certain activity by statistical sampling and random observations in which a large
number of instantaneous observations are made at random time intervals over a
period of time. It is a method in which a large number of observations are made at
random time interval over a period of time or group of machines or workers. Each
observations records what is happening at that instant and the percentage of
observation recorded for a particular activity or idleness.
As it is not generally possible to do this either, the next best method has to
be adopted; that of making tours of the factory at random intervals, noting which
machines are working and which are stopped, and noting the cause of each
stoppage. This is the basis of the work sampling technique. When the sample size
is large enough and the observations made are indeed at random, there is quite a
high probability that these observations will reflect the real situation, plus or minus
a certain margin of error.
Example:
Tossing a coin, Probability: 50% head
50% tail

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE

 Quezon City University

Definition
Work Sampling is also referred as a random sampling or activity sampling. Work
sampling is the statistical technique used for determining the proportion of time
spent by workers in various defined categories of activity (e.g. setting up a machine,
assembling two parts, idle…etc.).
Sampling – process or technique in obtaining a sample
Sample –is a group in research study in which information is achieved.
Probability – extent of which an event is likely to occur.

Before making our actual observations, it is important that we decide on the

objective of our work sampling. The simplest objective is that of determining
whether a given machine is idle or working. In such a case, our observations aim at
detecting one of two possibilities only.

Observations

Machine /man working Machine/man Idle

Cutting Boring Filling

Waiting Waiting Personal
Idle
for for needs of
repairs Supplies workers

Conventional Method of Determining the Sample size

We can apply a conventional method for the statistical method, we have first to take a number
of preliminary readings (n'). We then apply the following equation:
2
' 2 −( )2
= 40

Where:
n’= number of readings taken in the preliminary study
x = value of the readings

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE

 Quezon City University

An example will make the point clear.

Let us suppose that we take five readings for a given element, and find that the value of
the elapsed time in minute is 7, 6, 7, 7, 6. We can then calculate the squares as shown below:
How many more readings are needed?
X X^2
7
6
7
7
6
Ex = Ex^2 =

By substituting these values in the above formula

2
' 2 −( )2
= 40

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE

 Quezon City University

Work sampling has a long and impressive list of applications but all of them fall into one
of the following three categories:
1. Work sampling can be used as ratio study of working and idle times.
2. It can be utilized as performance sampling study in which working and idleness on working
times are measured and a performance index is prepared.
3. It can be used as a work measurement technique.

Work sampling is a statistically based technique utilized for analyzing work performance
and machine utilization by direct observation, but without a stopwatch. This technique needs to
identify the percent working time and percent idle time.

Formula:
p=1–q
p = is the percent idle time
q = is the percent working time

This technique is particularly useful to estimate the proportion of delays or idleness’s

occurring in a plant and attributing the cause for it, such as power failures/input delays, machine
cleaning, machine breakdowns and manpower idling or in other words, estimating proportion of
time spent by an executive in attending meetings, conversation or reading etc. This technique is
a sampling method that depends on the laws of probability. A sample taken at random from a
large population provides a good estimate of the distribution of the population. To make it
clearer, let us consider the following example.

Example1. Simple work sampling record sheet of a machine. Solve for q and p
Date: Observer: Study No.
No. of observations: 75 Total Percentage
Machine 62
Running

Machine 13
Idle

Establishing confidence levels

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE

 Quezon City University

The normal distribution curve / confidence level – is the typical of the kind
of frequency distribution which is important in work sampling because it represents
graphically the probability of occurrence of certain change in phenomena.
The result obtained by work sampling technique differs considerably from
the results actually achieved by continuous recording of time. The accuracy of
result depends upon the number or observations and the limits of confidence level
because the sampling procedure used involves certain degree of error. So, it is
important to decide, what level of confidence is desired in the final “Work
Sampling” results.
During an investigation, if we increase the number of observations
considerably and in each observation then number of activities are large we can
obtain a smoother curve called normal distribution curve.

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 gives 95%.
For every probability there is an equivalent confidence level value which is
shown below:

Probability Confidence Level Value

90% 1.645
95% 1.960
99% 2.326
99.9% 3.250

Determination of sample size using Statistical Method

Formula:

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE

 Quezon City University
𝑧 2 (𝑝)(𝑞)
n=
𝑒2

where:

n = number of observations needed

z = confidence level value

p = percent idle time

q = percent working time

e = limit error

example:

Let us assume that some 100 observations were carried out as a preliminary study and at random,
and that these showed the machine to be idle in 25 times of the cases and to be working 75 times of
the time. Let us choose a confidence level of 90 per cent with a ±10 per cent margin of error.
a. How many observations should be made?
b. If we reduce the margin of error to ±5, CL of 95% how many observations are needed?
c. Give your conclusion

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE

 Quezon City University

III. Activity: Solve the following

1.Let us assume that some observations were carried out in the working area. In the preliminary
study at ramdom observations, it shows that the machine was idle for 30% of the case and to be
working 70% of the time. Let us choose a confidence level of 95%

2. A work sampling study requires 95% confidence level with 5% limit error. How many
observations are required if the machine down time is 8%

4.At 99% confidence level, the analyst estimate the activity having 20%. How many observations
should be made if it is expected to have a 5% margin of error?

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE

 Quezon City University
5. Suppose that a total of 95 observations were made, and in preliminary study, 20% showed that
machine was idle. What is the probability at 9.55% limit error?

IV. Reference
INTRODUCTION TO WORK STUDY, Edited by George Kanawaty Fourth (revised)
edition

Department of Industrial Engineering Engr. Aura Marie B. Novesteras, PIE, AE