SOLVED PROBLEMS IN

WORK MEASUREMENT

2014
 Solved Problems in Work Measurement 2014

FORMULAS IN WORK MEASUREMENT

Time Study - Standard Time

Normal Time = (Elemental average) x (rating factor)

Nt = (t )(RF)

Normal Cycle Time = NT = ΣNt

Standard Time = (normal cycle time) x (1 + allowance factor)

Formula 1: ST = (NT)(1 + AF)

Formula 2: ST = NT/ 1 – AF

Formula 1 is most often used in practice which assumes that allowances are added to normal time. If
presumes that allowances should be applied to the total work period, then Formula 2 is the correct one.

Recommended Number of Observation Cycles

Source: Time Study Manual of the Erie Works of the General Electric Company

Cycle Time (Minutes) Recommended

Number of Cycles
0.10 200
0.25 100
0.50 60
0.75 40
1.00 30
2.00 20
2.00 – 5.00 15
5.00 – 10.00 10
10.00 – 20.00 8
20.00 – 40.00 5
40.00 – above 3

Determination of Sample Size – Statistical Method

At 95.45 confidence level and a margin of error of +- 5 percent:

2
2 2
40 n’ Σx – (Σx)
n = -----------------------------
Σx

where n = sample size we wish to determine

n’ = number of readings taken in the preliminary study
Σ = sum of values
x = value of readings

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The number of cycles that must be timed is a function of three things: (1) the variability of the observed
times, (2) the desired accuracy, and (3) the desired level of confidence for the estimated job time. Very
often the desired accuracy is expressed as a percentage of the mean of the observed times. For
example, the goal of a time study may be to achieve an estimate that is within 10 percent of the actual
mean. The sample size needed to achieve that goal can be determined using this formula:
2

z*s
n = ----------------
a (ave. T)

where n = sample size we wish to determine

z = number of standard deviations from the mean in a normal distribution reflecting a
level of statistical confidence. *Note: Time studies often involve only small samples
(n<30), therefore, a t distribution must be used.

2
Σ(xi – ave x)
s= ----------------
n–1
= sample standard deviation from sample time study

Ave T = average job cycle time from the sample time study
a = desired accuracy percentage

Typical values of z, cumulative probabilities of the Standard Normal Distribution used in this
computation are:

Confidence Level z value

90% 1.65
95% 1.96
95.5% 2.00
98% 2.33
99% 2.58

Typical Values of t, percentage points of the t Distribution in this computation:

Degree of Freedom (n – 1)
with 5% probability t value

9 2.262
14 2.145
19 2.093
24 2.064
29 2.045

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Another alternate formula used when desired accuracy is stated as an amount (e.g. within one minute of
the true mean) instead of a percentage is:
2

zs
n = ----------------
e

where e = accuracy or maximum acceptable error

Statistical Calculation of an Outlier

Outlier x > Mean Value x + 1.5t

Where t = interquartile range (IQR) = Range between the first and third quartiles

After determining the first and third quartiles and the interquartile range as outlined above, then
determining the fences using the following formula:

Lower fence = Q1 - 1.5(IQR)

Upper fence = Q3 + 1.5(IQR)

where Q1 and Q3 are the first and third quartiles, respectively. The Lower fence is the "lower limit" and
the Upper fence is the "upper limit" of data, and any data lying outside these defined bounds can be
considered an outlier. Anything below the Lower fence or above the Upper fence can be considered such
a case. The fences provide a guideline by which to define an outlier, which may be defined in other ways.
The fences define a "range" outside of which an outlier exists; a way to picture this is a boundary of a
fence, outside of which are "outsiders" as opposed to outliers.

Calculation of Rest Allowance for Infrequent Use of Muscular Force (Rohmert, 1973)

RA = 1,800 X (t/T)1.4 X (f/F – 0.15)0.5

Where RA = rest allowance (% of time t)

t = duration of holding time (time)
f = holding force (lb)
F = maximum holding force (lb)
T = maximum holding time for holding force f (min), defined as

T = 1.2/ (f/F – 0.15)0.618 – 1.21

Rest Allocation for Muscular Energy Required for Heavy Work

R = (W – 5.33)/(W – 1.33)

Where R = time required for rest, as percent of total time

W = average energy expenditure during work, kcal/ min

Notes: A 5.33 kcal/ min (21.3 BTU/ min) limit for acceptable energy expenditure for an 8-hour work day
has been proposed by Bink (1962) while the value of 1.33 kcal/ min (5.3 BTU/ min) is the energy
expenditure during rest.

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Work Sampling
Work Sampling Results to Standard Time per Piece

(Total time in min) x (Working time percent)

x Performance index)
Standard time = ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + Allowance)
Per piece Total number of pieces produced

Determination of Sample Size – Statistical Method

pq
σp = ------
n

where σp = standard error of proportion

p = percentage of idle time
q = percentage of working time or (1 – p)
n = number of observations or sample size we wish to determine
or
2
n = ((z/e) )(p(1 – p))

where e = maximum error

z = number of standard deviations needed to achieve desired confidence
p = sample proportion (the number of occurrences divided by the sample size)
n = sample size

Synchronous Servicing

Number of Machine Assignment

l+m
n = -------------------
l

where n = number of machines the operator is assigned

l = total operator loading and unloading (servicing) time per machine
m = total machine running time (automatic power feed)

Under Machine Interference

l+m
n1 <= -------------------
l+w

where n1 = lowest whole number of machines the operator is assigned

l = total operator loading and unloading (servicing) time per machine
m = total machine running time (automatic power feed)
w = total worker time (not directly interacting with the machine, typically walking time to the next
machine)

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Total Expected Cost (TEC)

K1(l + m) +n1K2(1+m)
TECn1 = ------------------------------------
n1
or
(l + m)(K1 + n1K2)
TECn1 = -----------------------------
n1

where TEC = total expected cost per unit of production from one machine
K1 = operator rate per unit of time
K2 = cost of machine per unit of time

TEC with n2 facilities

n2 = n1 + 1

(K1)(n2)(l + w) + (K2)(n2)(l + w)
TECn2 = -------------------------------------------
n2
or

TECn2 = (l + w)(K1 + K2n2)

Random Servicing

Completely random servicing situations are those cases in which it is know when a facility needs to be
serviced or how long servicing takes. Mean values are usually known or can be determined. With these
averages, the laws of probability can provide a useful tool in determining the number of machines to
assign a single operator.

The successive terms of the binomial expansion give a useful approximation of the probability of 0, 1, 2,
3,…, n machines down (where n is relatively small), assuming that each machine is down at random
times during the day and that the probability of downtime is p and the probability of runtime is q = 1 – p.
Each term of the binomial expansion can be expressed as a probability of m (out of n) machines down:

n!
P(m of n) = -------------------------- x pmqn – m
m!(n – m)!

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ANSWER SHEET

PROBLEMS IN WORK STUDY – WORK MEASUREMENT

NAME: _____________________________________ DATE: ____________________

1. _______ 21. _________ 41. _________ 61. _________ 81. _________

2. _______ 22. _________ 42. _________ 62. _________ 82. _________

3. _______ 23. _________ 43. _________ 63. _________ 83. _________

4. _______ 24. _________ 44. _________ 64. _________ 84. _________

5. _______ 25. _________ 45. _________ 65. _________ 85. _________

6. _______ 26. _________ 46. _________ 66. _________ 86. _________

7. _______ 27. _________ 47. _________ 67. _________ 87. _________

8. _______ 28. _________ 48. _________ 68. _________ 88. _________

9. _______ 29. _________ 49. _________ 69. _________ 89. _________

10. _______ 30. _________ 50. _________ 70. _________ 90. _________

11. _______ 31. _________ 51. _________ 71. _________ 91. _________

12. _______ 32. _________ 52. _________ 72. _________ 92. _________

13. _______ 33. _________ 53. _________ 73. _________ 93. _________

14. _______ 34. _________ 54. _________ 74. _________ 94. _________

15. _______ 35. _________ 55. _________ 75. _________ 95. _________

16. _______ 36. _________ 56. _________ 76. _________ 96. _________

17. _______ 37. _________ 57. _________ 77. _________ 97. _________

18. _______ 38. _________ 58. _________ 78. _________ 98. _________

19. _______ 39. _________ 59. _________ 79. _________ 99. _________

20. _______ 40. _________ 60. _________ 80. _________ 100. _________

SCORE: __________ /100 X 100 = __________%

PASSING RATE: 75%

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PROBLEMS IN WORK STUDY – WORK MEASUREMENT

1. A set of ratings in which the observer has overestimated the variations in the worker’s rate of working.

a. Inconsistent Ratings b. Tight Ratings

c. Flat Ratings d. Steep Ratings

2. It is an element which occurs in every work cycle of the job.

a. Repetitive Element b. Manual Element

c. Variable Element d. Constant Element

3. It may be included in a standard time when the production of a proportion of defective products is
inherent in the process but is perhaps more usually given as a temporary addition to standard times,
per job or per batch, if an occasional bad lot of material has to be worked.

a. Reject Allowance b. Learning Allowance

c. Contingency Allowance d. Training Allowance

4. A method in which the hands of the stop watch are returned to zero at the end of each element and are
allowed to restart immediately, the time for the element being obtained directly.

a. Flyback Timing b. Cumulative Timing

c. Random Timing d. Differential Timing

5. It is an increment, other than bonus increment, applied to standard time to provide a satisfactory level
of earnings for a specified level of performance under exceptional circumstances.

a. Change-over Allowance b. Policy Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

6. That portion of the elapsed time, excluding the check time, spent on any activity which is not a
specified part of a job.

a. Idle Time b. Ineffective Time

c. Variable Time c. Occasional Time

7. The potential volume of a machine, usually expressed in physical units capable of being produced in
any convenient unit of time, e.g. tons per week, pieces per hour, etc.

a. Machine Ancillary Time b. Machine Available Time

c. Machine-Controlled Tie d. Machine Capacity

8. It is an element which does not occur in every work cycle of the job, but which may occur at regular or
irregular intervals.

a. Repetitive Element b. Occasional Element

c. Variable Element d. Foreign Element

9. It is a method of finding the percentage occurrence of a certain activity by statistical sampling and
random observations

a. Acceptance Sampling b. Work Sampling

c. p Chart d. Sampling Distribution

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10. It is an allowance of time to cover the adjustment and maintenance of tools.

a. Tool Allowance b. Maintenance Allowance

c. Change Over Allowance d. Machine Allowance

11. One who is accepted as having the necessary physical attributes, who possesses the required
intelligence and education, and who has acquired the necessary skill and knowledge to carry out the
work in hand to satisfactory of safety, quantity and quality.

a. Ordinary Worker b. Best Worker

c. Normal Worker d. Qualified Worker

12. The total time in which a job should be completed at standard performance is called --

a. Normal Time b. Elemental Time

c. Standard Time d. Observed Time

13. It is usually given to operatives who are not actually engaged in setting-up or dismantling, to
compensate them for time on necessary activities or waiting time at the start and/ or the end of a job
or batch.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Change-Over Allowance

14. Elemental Time values which are either considerably higher or lower than the mean of the majority of
observations taken during a time study.

a. Occasional Time b. Foreign Time

c. Abnormal Time d. Ineffective Time

15. This allowance, always a constant, is given to take account of the energy expended while carrying out
work and to alleviate monotony.

a. Relaxation Allowance b. Personal Needs Allowance

c. Basic Fatigue Allowance d. Policy Allowance

16. An element occupying a longer time than that of any other element which is being performed
concurrently is called --

a. Occasional Element b. Governing Element

c. Foreign Element d. Overload Element

17. The total time from the start to the finish of a time study.

a. Standard Time b. Cycle Time

c. Lead Time d. Elapsed Time

18. It is an element observed during a study which, after analysis, is not found to be a necessary part of
the job.

a. Repetitive Element b. Occasional Element

c. Variable Element d. Foreign Element

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19. A method in which the hands of the stop watch are allowed to continue to move without returning
them to zero at the end of each element, the time for each element being obtained subsequently by
subtraction.

a. Flyback Timing b. Cumulative Timing

c. Random Timing d. Differential Timing

20. It is an addition to the basic time intended to provide the worker with the opportunity to recover from
the physiological and psychological effects of carrying out specified work under specified conditions
and to allow attention to personal needs.

a. Relaxation Allowance b. Personal Needs Allowance

c. Basic Fatigue Allowance d. Variable Allowance

21. One Time Measurement Unit (TMU) in Methods Time Measurement equals how many minutes?

a. 0.0005 minute b. 0.005 minute

c. 0.0006 minute d. 0.006 minute

22. It is an element performed by a worker.

a. Repetitive Element b. Manual Element

c. Variable Element d. Constant Element

23. What is the recommended number of observation cycles of a 5 – 10 minutes cycle time?

a. 5 b. 10
c. 15 d. 20

24. The application of techniques designed to establish the time for a qualified worker to carry out a
specified job at a defined level of performance.

a. Work Sampling b. Time Study

c. Time Estimate d. Work Measurement

25. It is an allowance that may similarly be given for work or waiting time occurring at the end of the day.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

26. What is the recommended number of observation cycles of a 1 minute cycle time?

a. 10 b. 15
c. 20 d. 30

27. It may be given to trainee operatives engaged on work for which standard times have been issued, as
a temporary benefit while they develop their ability.

a. Reject Allowance b. Learning Allowance

c. Contingency Allowance d. Training Allowance

28. It is an element for which the basic time changes in relation to some characteristics of the product,
equipment, or process, e.g. dimension, weight, quality, etc.

a. Foreign Element b. Manual Element

c. Variable Element d. Constant Element

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29. A distinct part of a specified job selected for convenience of observations, measurement and analysis
is called --

a. Activity b. Operation
c. Time d. Element

30. The sequence of elements which are required to perform a job or yield a unit of production. The
sequence may sometimes include occasional elements.

a. Work Cycle b. Work Content

c. Operation d. Activity

31. It is a small allowance of time which may be included in a standard time to meet legitimate and
expected items of work or delays, the precise measurement of which is uneconomical because of
their infrequent or irregular occurrence.

a. Contingency Allowance b. Personal Allowance

c. Variable Allowance d. Fatigue Allowance

32. A set of ratings in which the observer has underestimated the variations in the worker’s rate of
working.

a. Inconsistent Ratings b. Tight Ratings

c. Flat Ratings d. Steep Ratings

33. A work measurement technique whereby times established for basic human motions which are
classified according to the nature of the motion and the condition under which it is made are used to
build up the time for a job at a defined level of performance.

a. Time Study b. Predetermined Time Standard

c. Work Sampling d. Time Estimate

34. It is given when the worker has to give attention from time to time to cleaning his machine or
workplace.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

35. This is a very quick way of determining sample size where we draw a line from the “percentage
occurrence” ordinate p to intercept the “error (accuracy required)” ordinate (say, 5 percent) and
extend it until it meets the “number of observations” ordinate n, which it intercepts at 300 for the 95
percent confidence level.

a. Nomative Method b. Normalization

c. Nomogram Method d. Polygram Method

36. The instant at which one element in a work cycle ends and another begins.

a. Break Element b. Sub-cycle Point

c. Cycle Break d. Break Point

37. It is an allowance given to compensate for the time taken by any work and any enforced waiting time
which necessarily occurs at the start of a shift or work period before production can begin.

a. Change-over Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

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38. A method for obtaining the time of one or more small elements. Elements are timed in groups, first
including and then excluding each small element, the time for each element being obtained
subsequently by subtraction.

a. Flyback Timing b. Differential Timing

c. Cumulative Timing d. Time Study

39. An element whose performance time does not vary significantly when changes in the process or
dimensional changes in the product occur.

a. Variable Element b. Constant Element

c. Flexible Element d. Continuous Element

40. These allowances are added to fixed allowances when working conditions differ markedly for instance
because of poor environmental conditions that cannot be improved, added stress and strain in
performing the job in question, and so on.

a. Tool Allowances b. Personal Needs Allowances

c. Policy Allowances d. Variable Allowances

41. Portion of the cycle time when the operator is observing a process to maintain the efficient progress of
the operations.

a. Operation Time b. Available Time

c. Accessible Time d. Attention Time

42. It is an allowance given to an experienced worker to compensate him for the time he is required to
spend instructing a trainee, while both are working on jobs for which standard times have been set.

a. Reject Allowance b. Learning Allowance

c. Contingency Allowance d. Training Allowance

43. The time when a machine is temporarily out of productive use owing to change-over, setting,
cleaning, etc.

a. Machine Ancillary Time b. Machine Available Time

c. Machine-Controlled Tie d. Machine Capacity

44. An inaccurate rating which is too high.

a. Inconsistent Rating b. Tight Rating

c. Loose Rating d. Steep Rating

45. It is an allowance that may be given to cover the time needed for making alterations to machine or
process settings after completing a run of production.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

46. The series of numerical indices given to various rates of working which is linear.

a. Allowance Factor b. Rating Scale

c. Time Index d. Random Rating

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47. This allowance provides for the necessity to leave the workplace to attend to personal needs such as
washing, going to the lavatory and getting a drink.

a. Relaxation Allowance b. Personal Needs Allowance

c. Basic Fatigue Allowance d. Variable Allowance

48. A listing of the content of a job by elements.

a. Work b. Work Content

c. Job d. Job Breakdown

49. The time intervals between the start of a time study and the start of the first element observed , and
between the finish of the last element observed and the finish of the study.

a. Check Time b. Break Point

c. Elapsed Time d. Rating

50. The stopwatch time readout when the analyst snaps the watch at very end of a time study at the
master clock.

a. Time Check b. Time elapsed before the study

c. Time elapsed after the study d. Time Index

51. Eyron Borlongan, a marketing surveyor, takes an average of 10 minutes to complete a particular
questionnaire. Eyron’s performance rating (pace) is 110% and there is an allowance of 15%.

What is the normal time for completing this questionnaire?

a. 10 b. 11
c. 11.5 d. 12.65

52. In reference to problem no. 51, what is the standard time for completing this questionnaire given the
allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 10 b. 11
c. 11.5 d. 12.65

53. Alvin Villegas, of Villegas Consulting Group, takes 3 hours and 25 minutes to write an end of month
report. Alvin is rated at 95% of his work pace and the office has a personal time allowance of 8%. There
is no delay time or fatigue time.

What is the normal time for writing an end of month report?

a. 3.08 b. 3.25
c. 3.42 d. 3.51

54. In reference to problem no. 53, what is the standard time for writing an end of month report given the
allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 3.08 b. 3.25
c. 3.42 d. 3.51

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55. The two steps in preparing chocolate candy bars are molding and packaging. Personal fatigue and
delay allowances are set at 15%. The molding machine operator is rated at 110% and the packer is
rated at 80%. Observed times per batch are given below.

Observed Time in Minutes

Task 1 2 3 4
Molding 26 30 29 31
Packing 45 50 35 30

Determine the normal times for both tasks.

a. Molding = 29, Packing = 40 b. Molding = 31.90, Packing = 32

c. Molding = 33.35, Packing = 46 d. Molding = 36.68, Packing = 36.80

56. In reference to problem no. 55, determine the standard times for both tasks given the allowances are
added to their normal times.

a. Molding = 29, Packing = 40 b. Molding = 31.90, Packing = 32

c. Molding = 33.35, Packing = 46 d. Molding = 36.68, Packing = 36.8

57. A work-study sample of a manufacturing activity conducted over a 40-hour period shows that a worker
with an 85% rating produced 12 parts. The worker’s idle time was 10% and the allowance factor was
12%.

Find the normal time per part for this activity.

a. 3.33 b. 3.73
c. 2.83 d. 2.55

58. In reference to problem no. 57, find the standard time per part for this activity given the allowance is
added to its normal time.

a. 3.73 b. 2.86
c. 3.17 d. 4.18

59. A time study was performed on a particular machine, the results of which are as follows:

Mean manual effort time per cycle: 6.53 minutes

Mean cutting time (power feed): 4.36 minutes
Mean performance rating: 115%
Machine allowance (power feed): 10%
Fatigue allowance: 15%

Compute the standard time for the operation given the allowances are added to their normal
times.

a. 12.43 b. 13.43
c. 14.34 d. 15.34

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60. Raphael is very organized and wants to plan his day perfectly. To do this, he has his friend Francis
time his daily activities. Here are the results of his timing Raphael on polishing two pairs of black
shoes using the snapback method of timing. Assume 5 percent allowance factor for Raphael to put
something mellow on his iPod.

Observed Times
Element 1 2 3 4 Performance Rating

Get shoeshine kit 0.50 125%

Polish shoes 0.94 0.85 0.80 0.81 110%
Put away kit 0.75 80%

What is the standard time for polishing two pairs given the allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 2.20 b. 2.48
c. 2.60 d. 2.85

61. A time study was conducted on a job that contains four elements. The observed times and
performance ratings for six cycles are shown:

Element Performance Observations

Rating (minutes per cycle)
1 92% 1.44 1.50 1.43 2.45 1.48 1.46
2 88% 0.50 0.54 0.47 0.51 0.49 0.52
3 105% 0.84 0.89 0.77 0.83 0.85 1.98
4 100% 1.20 1.24 1.18 1.30 1.26 1.36

Assuming an allowance factor of 12.5% based on an eight-hour shift, compute the standard time for
the job given the allowance is added to the total time.

a. 3.92 b. 4.48
c. 3.29 d. 4.84

62. Consider the following 16 observation data: 12, 16, 13, 15, 13, 25, 13, 13, 12, 14, 14, 15, 14, 13, 14,
16, is the value 25 an outlier?

a. Yes b. No
c. Maybe d. Cannot be determined

63. Center for Continuing Education promotes its management development seminars by mailing
thousands of individually composed and typed letters to various firms. A time study has been
conducted on the task of preparing letters for mailing. On the basis of the following observations, the
Center wants to develop a time standard for this task. The firm’s personal, delay, and fatigue
allowance factor is 15%.

Job Element 1 2 3 4 5 PR

A. Compose and type letter 8 10 9 21 11 120%

B. Type envelope address 2 3 2 1 3 105%
C. Seal and sort envelopes 2 1 5 2 1 110%

Compute for the total normal time for this task.

a. 13.84 b. 15.36
c. 17.97 d. 19.25

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64. In reference to problem no. 63, compute the standard time given the allowance is added to its normal
time.

a. 15.92 b. 17.66
c. 20.67 d. 22.14

65. A manufacturing company has conducted a time study for ten cycles of a job. The job has five
elements and the total elemental times (minutes) for each element and performance rating factors are
as follows:

Element Sum t (min) RF

1 3.61 1.05
2 4.84 0.90
3 2.93 1.00
4 4.91 1.10
5 1.78 0.95

Compute the standard time using an allowance factor of 18 percent that is added to its normal time.

a. 2.15 b. 2.51
c. 3.15 d. 3.51

66. In reference to problem no. 65, determine the sample size, n, for a time study so there is 98 percent
confidence that the average time computed from the time study is within 4 percent of the actual
average cycle time. The sample standard deviation is 0.23.

a. 40 b. 45
c. 50 d. 55

67. A pilot study of 25 readings for a given element showed that average x = 0.30 and s = 0.09. A 5%
desired acceptable fraction e and an alpha = 0.05 for 24 degrees of freedom for estimating on of the
parameters) yield t = 2.064. What is the sample size to be observed?

a. 145 b. 154
c. 125 d. 152

68. Rommel and Leo recently time-studied a janitorial task. From a sample of 75 observations, they
computed an average cycle time of 15 minutes with a standard deviation of 2 minutes. What is the
computed sample size large enough that one can be 99% confident that the standard time is within 5%
of the true value?

a. 40 b. 45
c. 48 d. 52

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69. Joven Manufacturing has just observed a job in its laboratory in anticipation of releasing the job to the
factory for production. The firm wants rather good accuracy for costing and labor forecasting.
Specifically, it wants to provide a 99% confidence level and a cycle time that is within 3% of the true
value. The data collected so far are as follows:

Observation Time (Min)

1 1.7
2 1.6
3 1.4
4 1.4
5 1.4

How many observations should it make?

a. 41 b. 66
c. 84 d. 93

70. The associate dean of the college of business at a technical school has succumbed to faculty
pressure to purchase a new fax machine, although she has always contended that the machine
would have minimal use. She has estimated that the machine will be used only 20 percent of the
time. Now that the machine has been installed, she asked the students in the work measurement
course to conduct a work sampling study to see what the proportion of the time the new fax machine
is used. She wants the estimate to be within 3 percent of the actual proportion, with a confidence
level of 95 percent. Determine the sample size for the work sample.

a. 545 b. 554
c. 638 d. 683

71. The manager of the order distribution center for the Issa Bags Mfg. has a company directive to
downsize his operation. He has decided to conduct work sampling studies of employees in the order
processing department, the warehouse area, and the packaging area. In the warehouse area he has
17 employees who locate items, pull them, and put them on conveyors to the packaging area. A work
sampling study was conducted over a 5-dayperiod to determine the proportion of time warehouse
employees were idle, and out of the 50 random observations, 400 employees were idle?

How many observations should be taken if the manager wants to be 90 percent confident the
estimate is within 5 percent of the actual proportion of time a warehouse employee is idle?

a. 251 b. 271
c. 850 d. 870

72. In reference to problem no. 71, the manager also conducted a work sampling study of the packaging
area and discovered that the 28 employees were idle approximately 37 percent of the time. What is
the required number of packaging area employees so that the manager may redesign his operation to
downsize and be more efficient?

a. 12 b. 14
c. 16 d. 18

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73. The National Bank of Zachary has opened up two new drive-through teller windows outside its main
office building in downtown Zachary. The bank is not sure that it needs both windows open all days
so it has decided to conduct a work sampling study to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The work
sampling study was conducted at random over a 5-day period and the following observations were
recorded:

ObservationTellers Idle Observation Tellers Idle

1 1 16 1
2 1 17 2
3 0 18 2
4 0 19 0
5 0 20 1
6 2 21 2
7 1 22 2
8 2 23 2
9 2 24 0
10 1 25 1
11 1 26 1
12 1 27 0
13 2 28 2
14 2 29 0
15 0 30 2

Bank management wants the study to be 5 percent accurate with a 95 percent confidence level. How
many additional sample observations should be taken?

a. 377 b. 387
c. 347 d. 357

74. In reference to problem no. 73, if the bank does not want to conduct a study of more than 100
observations, what is the value of z that is equal to the level of confidence could it expect?

a. 1.01 b. 1.03
c. 1.05 d. 1.07

75. The head of the department of management at Benjamin University has noticed that the four
secretaries in the departmental office seem to spend a lot of time answering questions from students
that could better be answered by the college advising office, by the faculty advisors, or simply from
the available literature; that is, course schedules, catalogs, the student handbook, and so on. As a
result the department head is considering remodeling the office with cubicles so students do not have
easy access to the secretaries. However, before investing in this project the head has decided to
conduct a work sampling study to determine the proportion of time the secretaries spend assisting
students.

The head arranged for a graduate assistant to make observations for the work sample, but the
graduate student’s schedule enabled her to make only 300 random observations in the time allotted
for the study. The results of the work sampling study showed that the secretaries assisted 12 percent
of the time, somewhat less than the head anticipated.

Given the number of observations that were included in the work sampling study, what is the value of
z to determine how confident can the department head be that the sample result is within 3 percent of
the actual proportion?

a. 1.40 b. 1.20
c. 1.80 d. 1.60

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76. In reference to problem no. 75, how many fewer or additional observations would be required for the
department head to be 95 percent confident in the work sampling results?

a. 451 b. 453
c. 151 d. 153

77. Mr. DJ Catalog Ordering Company maintains an ordering staff of 30 telephone operators, who take
orders from customers. Management wants to determine the proportion of time that operators are
idle. A work sampling study was conducted at random over a 4-day period, and the following random
observations were recorded:

Observation Operators Idle Observation Operators Idle

10/15: 1 6 11 4
2 5 10/17: 12 7
3 4 13 3
4 7 14 3
5 5 15 6
6 2 16 5
10/16: 7 4 17 7
8 3 18 4
9 5 10/19: 19 5
10 6 20 6
If management wants the proportion of time from the work sampling study to be 2 percent accurate
with a confidence level of 98 percent, how many additional sampling observations should be taken?

a. 1820 b. 1840
c. 1850 d. 1860

78. In reference to problem no. 77, based on the time required to take the first 20 observations, how
many days will be required to conduct this study?

a. 365 b. 368
c. 465 d. 468

79. In reference to problem no. 77, if the bank does not want to conduct a study of more than 500
observations, what is the value of z corresponding to the level of confidence could it expect?

a. 1.40 b. 1.20
c. 1.80 d. 1.60

80. In reference to problem no. 77, if the manager discovered that the 30 operators were idle
approximately 22 percent of the time. What is the required number of operators so that the manager
may redesign his operation to downsize and be more efficient?

a. 17 b. 19
c. 21 d. 23

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81. A total of 15 observations have taken on a head baker for a school district. The numerical breakdown
of the baker’s activities is --

Make ready Do Clean up Idle

2 6 3 4

Based on this information, how many work-sampling observations are required to determine how much
of the baker’s time is spent in “doing”? Assume a 5 percent desired absolute accuracy and 95 percent
confidence level.

a. 384 b. 348
c. 386 d. 368

82. The manager of a small supermarket chain wants to estimate the proportion of time stock clerks
spend making price changes on previously marked merchandise. The manager wants a 98 percent
confidence that the resulting estimate will be within 5 percent of the true value. The preliminary
estimate of sample size is p = 0.50. What sample size should be used?

a. 243 b. 343
c. 443 d. 543

83. In reference to problem no. 82, suppose that in the first 20 observations, stock clerks were found to
be changing prices twice, what is the new sample size for this?

a. 176 b. 186
c. 196 d. 206

84. An analyst has been asked to prepare an estimate of the proportion of time that a turret lathe operator
spends adjusting the machine, with a 90 percent confidence level. Based on previous experience, the
analyst believes the proportion will be approximately 30 percent. If the analyst uses a sample size of
400 observations, what is the maximum possible error that will be associated with the estimate?

a. 3.80% b. 4.80%
c. 5.80% d. 6.80%

85. In reference to problem no. 84, what sample size would the analyst need in order to have the
maximum error be no more than 5 percent?

a. 129 b. 229
c. 321 d. 421

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86. A work sampling study was conducted on a particular machine and the result is provided in the tally
sheet below:
No. of Observations
Running 28
Idle
Broken 6
Out of stock 11
Others 5

At 95% confidence level, the machine is expected to run between __________% and _________ %
of an 8-hour work-shift.

a. 42% & 70% b. 40% & 72%

c. 56% & 70% d. 50% & 76%

87. Given:

Information Source of Data Data for One Day

Total time available for Time cards 480 mins.

Operator (working and
Idle time)
Number of parts produced Inspection Department 420 pieces
Working time in percent Work sampling 85%
Idle time in percent Work sampling 15%
Average performance index Work sampling 110%
Total allowances Company time-study 15%

Calculate the standard time per piece of the above data from work sampling study given the
allowance is added to its normal time.

a. 1.43 b. 1.23
c. 1.34 d. 1.32

88. Suppose you want to set a time standard for the baker making her specialty, square donuts. A work
sampling study of her on “donut day” yielded the following results:

Time spent (working and idle) 320 minutes

Number of donuts produced 5,000
Working time 280 minutes
Performance rating 125%
Allowances 10%

What is the standard time per donut given the allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 0.08 b. 0.10
c. 0.12 d. 0.14

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89. Sharee Backpackers is a small-order operation specializing in outdoor camping and hiking equipment
and clothing. In addition to its normal pool of telephone operators to take customer orders, the
company has a group of customer service operators to respond to customer complaints and product
related-inquiries. The time required for customer service operators to handle customer calls differs,
based on an operator’s ability to think fast and quickly recall from memory product information
(without using product description screens on the computer).

The company wants to determine the standard time required for a customer service operator to
complete a call without having to resort to a time study. Instead, management had a work sampling
study of an operator conducted during an 8-hour workday that included 160 observations. The study
showed the operator was talking to customers only 78 percent of the time, and call records indicated
that the operator was handled 120 customer calls during the day.

The customer service manager has indicated that the particular operator that was studied performs
about 110 percent compared with a normal operator. Company policy allows 15 percent personal
time on the job for lunch, breaks, and so on. Determine the standard time per customer call given the
allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 2.85 b. 3.95
c. 4.05 d. 4.15

90. A work sampling study was made of a cargo loading operation for the purpose of developing a
standard time. During the total 120 minutes of observation the employee was working 80% of the time
and loaded 60 pieces of cargo. The analyst rated the performance at 90%. The firm wishes to
incorporate an allowance factor for fatigue, delays, and personal time of 10% of normal work time.
What is the standard time for this operation in minutes per piece given the allowance is added to its
normal time?

a. 1.58 b. 1.85
c. 2.85 d. 2.58

91. A work sampling study of customer service representatives in a telephone company office showed
that a receptionist was working 80 percent of the time at 100 percent PR. This receptionist handled
200 customers during the 8-hour study period. Company policy is to give allowances of 10 percent of
total on-the-job time. Find the standard time per customer given the allowance is added to its total
time.

a. 3.81 b. 3.18
c. 2.31 d. 2.13

92. Timbuktu General Hospital wants to set the standard time for lab technicians to pour a tube specimen
using MTM. The sample tube is in a rack and the centrifuge tubes in a nearby box. A technician
removes the sample tube from the rack, uncaps it, gets the centrifuge tube, pours, and places both
tubes in the rack.

Element Description Element TMU

Get tube from rack AA2 35
Uncap, place on counter AA2 35
Get centrifuge tube and place at sample tube AD2 45
Pour (3 sec) PT 83
Place tubes in rack PC2 40

Compute for the total standard time for this task in seconds.

a. 2.6 b. 4.6
c. 6.6 d. 8.6

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93. Consider the following task broken down into 5 MTM elements:

TMUs Code in MTM Books

Reach to tool box 14.2 R12D
Grasp a tool 3.5 BG1
Separate tool by 10.6 AP2
pressing
Turn tool 3.5 T45S
Move and focus eyes 13.4 M12B

What is the total time in seconds for the task?

a. 1.36 b. 1.63
c. 2.70 d. 4.52

94. At Derrick Micro Manufacturing, Inc., workers press semiconductors into pre-drilled slots on printed
circuit boards. The elemental motions for normal time used by the company are as follows:

Element Description TMU

Reach 6 inches for semiconductors 40
Grasp the semiconductor 10
Move semiconductor to printed circuit board 30
Position semiconductor 35
Press semiconductor into slots 65
Move board aside 20

Determine the standard time for this operation in seconds.

a. 7.2 b. 9.2
c. 11.4 d. 13.4

95. Assume a total cycle time of 4 minutes to produce a product, as measured from the start of the
unloading of the previously completed product to the end of the machine cycle time. Operator
servicing, which includes both the unloading of the completed product and the unloading of the raw
materials, is 1 minute, while the cycle time of the automatic machine cycle is 3 minutes. How many
machines are to be assigned to the operator for this synchronous servicing?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

96. It takes an operator 1 minute to service a machine and 0.1 minute to walk to the next machine. Each
machine runs automatically for 3 minutes, the operator earns $10 per hour and the machines cost
$20 per hour to run. How many machines that the operator can service?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

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97. The home security devices produced by a firm are assembled manually in 4 successive steps. Unit
time requirements for these 4 operations are expected to be as follows:

Assembly Operation Required Time Per Unit (sec)

1 64
2 95
3 32
4 142

To satisfy the forecasted demand for the devices, it will be necessary to setup an assembly line which
is capable of yielding an output of 9,000 units in the 40 hours during which the plant operates each
week. What number of workers must be assigned to each operation 2 and 4, if the result is to be a
fairly well balanced line with the required output capacity?

a. 4 and 7 b. 5 and 8
c. 6 and 9 d. 7 and 10

98. Consider a worker lifting a 40-lb load less than once every 5 minutes. The average person’s
maximum strength capability is 100 lb. With the short duration exertion of 0.05 minute, calculate the rest
allowance for this infrequent use of muscular force activity.

a. 5% b. 6%
c. 7% d. 8%

99. A worker is shoveling sand at a rate of 8 kcal/min. How much rest does he need during an 8-hour
shift?

a. 0.20 b. 1.20
c. 2.20 d. 3.20

100. A study reveals that a group of three semiautomatic machines assigned to one operator operates
unattended 80 percent of the time. Operator service time at irregular intervals averages 30 percent of
the time on these three machines. What would be the estimated machine hours lost per eight-hour
day because of lack of an operator?

a. 0.43 b. 1.51
c. 0.97 d. 1.94

101. A man lifts a 25 kg load less than once every 7 minutes. The average man’s maximum strength
capability is 130 lb. With the short duration exertion of 2.4 seconds, calculate the rest allowance for this
infrequent use of muscular force activity.

a. 5% b. 6%
c. 7% d. 8%

102. A man is drilling a hole in concrete pavement at a rate of 6.5 kcal/min. How much rest does he need
for a 6-hour work?

a. 0.34 b. 1.36
c. 2.23 d. 3.27

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103. Assume a total cycle time of 6 minutes to produce a product, as measured from the start of the
unloading of the previously completed product to the end of the machine cycle time. Operator
servicing, which includes both the unloading of the completed product and the unloading of the raw
materials, is 75 seconds. How many machines are to be assigned to the operator for this
synchronous servicing?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

104. It takes an operator 45 seconds to service a machine and 4 seconds to walk to the next machine.
Each machine runs automatically for 3.5 minutes, the operator earns P65 per hour and the machines
cost P1000 per hour to run. How many machines that the operator can service?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

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SOLVED PROBLEMS IN WORK STUDY – WORK MEASUREMENT

1. A set of ratings in which the observer has overestimated the variations in the worker’s rate of working.

a. Inconsistent Ratings b. Tight Ratings

c. Flat Ratings d. Steep Ratings

Answer: d. Steep Ratings

2. It is an element which occurs in every work cycle of the job.

a. Repetitive Element b. Manual Element

c. Variable Element d. Constant Element

Answer: a. Repetitive Element

3. It may be included in a standard time when the production of a proportion of defective products is
inherent in the process but is perhaps more usually given as a temporary addition to standard times,
per job or per batch, if an occasional bad lot of material has to be worked.

a. Reject Allowance b. Learning Allowance

c. Contingency Allowance d. Training Allowance

Answer: a. Reject Allowance

4. A method in which the hands of the stop watch are returned to zero at the end of each element and are
allowed to restart immediately, the time for the element being obtained directly.

a. Flyback Timing b. Cumulative Timing

c. Random Timing d. Differential Timing

Answer: a. Flyback Timing

5. It is an increment, other than bonus increment, applied to standard time to provide a satisfactory level
of earnings for a specified level of performance under exceptional circumstances.

a. Change-over Allowance b. Policy Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

Answer: b. Policy Allowance

6. That portion of the elapsed time, excluding the check time, spent on any activity which is not a
specified part of a job.

a. Idle Time b. Ineffective Time

c. Variable Time d. Occasional Time

Answer: b. Ineffective Time

7. The potential volume of a machine, usually expressed in physical units capable of being produced in
any convenient unit of time, e.g. tons per week, pieces per hour, etc.

a. Machine Ancillary Time b. Machine Available Time

c. Machine-Controlled Time d. Machine Capacity

Answer: d. Machine Capacity

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8. It is an element which does not occur in every work cycle of the job, but which may occur at regular or
irregular intervals.

a. Repetitive Element b. Occasional Element

c. Variable Element d. Foreign Element

Answer: b. Occasional Element

9. It is a method of finding the percentage occurrence of a certain activity by statistical sampling and
random observations

a. Acceptance Sampling b. Work Sampling

c. p Chart d. Sampling Distribution

Answer: b. Work Sampling

10. It is an allowance of time to cover the adjustment and maintenance of tools.

a. Tool Allowance b. Maintenance Allowance

c. Change Over Allowance d. Machine Allowance

Answer: a. Tool Allowance

11. One who is accepted as having the necessary physical attributes, who possesses the required
intelligence and education, and who has acquired the necessary skill and knowledge to carry out the
work in hand to satisfactory of safety, quantity and quality.

a. Ordinary Worker b. Best Worker

c. Normal Worker d. Qualified Worker

Answer: d. Qualified Worker

12. The total time in which a job should be completed at standard performance is called --

a. Normal Time b. Elemental Time

c. Standard Time d. Observed Time

Answer: c. Standard Time

13. It is usually given to operatives who are not actually engaged in setting-up or dismantling, to
compensate them for time on necessary activities or waiting time at the start and/ or the end of a job
or batch.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Change-Over Allowance

Answer: d. Change-Over Allowance

14. Elemental Time values which are either considerably higher or lower than the mean of the majority of
observations taken during a time study.

a. Occasional Time b. Foreign Time

c. Abnormal Time d. Ineffective Time

Answer: c. Abnormal Time

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15. This allowance, always a constant, is given to take account of the energy expended while carrying out
work and to alleviate monotony.

a. Relaxation Allowance b. Personal Needs Allowance

c. Basic Fatigue Allowance d. Policy Allowance

Answer: c. Basic Fatigue Allowance

16. An element occupying a longer time than that of any other element which is being performed
concurrently is called --

a. Occasional Element b. Governing Element

c. Foreign Element d. Overload Element

Answer: b. Governing Element

17. The total time from the start to the finish of a time study.

a. Standard Time b. Cycle Time

c. Lead Time d. Elapsed Time

Answer: d. Elapsed Time

18. It is an element observed during a study which, after analysis, is not found to be a necessary part of
the job.

a. Repetitive Element b. Occasional Element

c. Variable Element d. Foreign Element

Answer: d. Foreign Element

19. A method in which the hands of the stop watch are allowed to continue to move without returning
them to zero at the end of each element, the time for each element being obtained subsequently by
subtraction.

a. Flyback Timing b. Cumulative Timing

c. Random Timing d. Differential Timing

Answer: b. Cumulative Timing

20. It is an addition to the basic time intended to provide the worker with the opportunity to recover from
the physiological and psychological effects of carrying out specified work under specified conditions
and to allow attention to personal needs.

a. Relaxation Allowance b. Personal Needs Allowance

c. Basic Fatigue Allowance d. Variable Allowance

Answer: a. Relaxation Allowance

21. One Time Measurement Unit (TMU) in Methods Time Measurement equals how many minutes?

a. 0.0005 minute b. 0.005 minute

c. 0.0006 minute d. 0.006 minute

Answer: c. 0.0006 minute

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22. It is an element performed by a worker.

a. Repetitive Element b. Manual Element

c. Variable Element d. Constant Element

Answer: b. Manual Element

23. What is the recommended number of observation cycles of a 5 – 10 minutes cycle time?

a. 5 b. 10
c. 15 d. 20

Answer: b. 10

24. The application of techniques designed to establish the time for a qualified worker to carry out a
specified job at a defined level of performance.

a. Work Sampling b. Time Study

c. Time Estimate d. Work Measurement

Answer: d. Work Measurement

25. It is an allowance that may similarly be given for work or waiting time occurring at the end of the day.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

Answer: c. Shut-down Allowance

26. What is the recommended number of observation cycles of a 1 minute cycle time?

a. 10 b. 15
c. 20 d. 30

Answer: d. 30

27. It may be given to trainee operatives engaged on work for which standard times have been issued, as
a temporary benefit while they develop their ability.

a. Reject Allowance b. Learning Allowance

c. Contingency Allowance d. Training Allowance

Answer: b. Learning Allowance

28. It is an element for which the basic time changes in relation to some characteristics of the product,
equipment, or process, e.g. dimension, weight, quality, etc.

a. Foreign Element b. Manual Element

c. Variable Element d. Constant Element

Answer: c. Variable Element

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29. A distinct part of a specified job selected for convenience of observations, measurement and analysis
is called --

a. Activity b. Operation
c. Time d. Element

Answer: d. Element

30. The sequence of elements which are required to perform a job or yield a unit of production. The
sequence may sometimes include occasional elements.

a. Work Cycle b. Work Content

c. Operation d. Activity

Answer: a. Work Cycle

31. It is a small allowance of time which may be included in a standard time to meet legitimate and
expected items of work or delays, the precise measurement of which is uneconomical because of
their infrequent or irregular occurrence.

a. Contingency Allowance b. Personal Allowance

c. Variable Allowance d. Fatigue Allowance

Answer: a. Contingency Allowance

32. A set of ratings in which the observer has underestimated the variations in the worker’s rate of
working.

a. Inconsistent Ratings b. Tight Ratings

c. Flat Ratings d. Steep Ratings

Answer: c. Flat Ratings

33. A work measurement technique whereby times established for basic human motions which are
classified according to the nature of the motion and the condition under which it is made are used to
build up the time for a job at a defined level of performance.

a. Time Study b. Predetermined Time Standard

c. Work Sampling d. Time Estimate

Answer: b. Predetermined Time Standard

34. It is given when the worker has to give attention from time to time to cleaning his machine or
workplace.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

Answer: a. Cleaning Allowance

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35. This is a very quick way of determining sample size where we draw a line from the “percentage
occurrence” ordinate p to intercept the “error (accuracy required)” ordinate (say, 5 percent) and
extend it until it meets the “number of observations” ordinate n, which it intercepts at 300 for the 95
percent confidence level.

a. Nomative Method b. Normalization

c. Nomogram Method d. Polygram Method

Answer: c. Nomogram Method

36. The instant at which one element in a work cycle ends and another begins.

a. Break Element b. Sub-cycle Point

c. Cycle Break d. Break Point

Answer: d. Break Point

37. It is an allowance given to compensate for the time taken by any work and any enforced waiting time
which necessarily occurs at the start of a shift or work period before production can begin.

a. Change-over Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

Answer: d. Start-up Allowance

38. A method for obtaining the time of one or more small elements. Elements are timed in groups, first
including and then excluding each small element, the time for each element being obtained
subsequently by subtraction.

a. Flyback Timing b. Differential Timing

c. Cumulative Timing d. Time Study

Answer: b. Differential Timing

39. An element whose performance time does not vary significantly when changes in the process or
dimensional changes in the product occur.

a. Variable Element b. Constant Element

c. Flexible Element d. Continuous Element

Answer: b. Constant Element

40. These allowances are added to fixed allowances when working conditions differ markedly for instance
because of poor environmental conditions that cannot be improved, added stress and strain in
performing the job in question, and so on.

a. Tool Allowances b. Personal Needs Allowances

c. Policy Allowances d. Variable Allowances

Answer: d. Variable Allowances

41. Portion of the cycle time when the operator is observing a process to maintain the efficient progress of
the operations.

a. Operation Time b. Available Time

c. Accessible Time d. Attention Time

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Answer: d. Attention Time

42. It is an allowance given to an experienced worker to compensate him for the time he is required to
spend instructing a trainee, while both are working on jobs for which standard times have been set.

a. Reject Allowance b. Learning Allowance

c. Contingency Allowance d. Training Allowance

Answer: d. Training Allowance

43. The time when a machine is temporarily out of productive use owing to change-over, setting,
cleaning, etc.

a. Machine Ancillary Time b. Machine Available Time

c. Machine-Controlled Time d. Machine Capacity

Answer: a. Machine Ancillary Time

44. An inaccurate rating which is too high.

a. Inconsistent Rating b. Tight Rating

c. Loose Rating d. Steep Rating

Answer: c. Loose Rating

45. It is an allowance that may be given to cover the time needed for making alterations to machine or
process settings after completing a run of production.

a. Cleaning Allowance b. Dismantling Allowance

c. Shut-down Allowance d. Start-up Allowance

Answer: b. Dismantling Allowance

46. The series of numerical indices given to various rates of working which is linear.

a. Allowance Factor b. Rating Scale

c. Time Index d. Random Rating

Answer: b. Rating Scale

47. This allowance provides for the necessity to leave the workplace to attend to personal needs such as
washing, going to the lavatory and getting a drink.

a. Relaxation Allowance b. Personal Needs Allowance

c. Basic Fatigue Allowance d. Variable Allowance

Answer: b. Personal Needs Allowance

48. A listing of the content of a job by elements.

a. Work b. Work Content

c. Job d. Job Breakdown

Answer: d. Job Breakdown

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49. The time intervals between the start of a time study and the start of the first element observed , and
between the finish of the last element observed and the finish of the study.

a. Check Time b. Break Point

c. Elapsed Time d. Rating

Answer: a. Check Time

50. The stopwatch time readout when the analyst snaps the watch at very end of a time study at the
master clock.

a. Time Check b. Time elapsed before the study

c. Time elapsed after the study d. Time Index

Answer: c. Time elapsed after study

51. Eyron Borlongan, a marketing surveyor, takes an average of 10 minutes to complete a particular
questionnaire. Eyron’s performance rating (pace) is 110% and there is an allowance of 15%.

What is the normal time for completing this questionnaire?

a. 10 b. 11
c. 11.5 d. 12.65

Answer: b. 11

Normal Time = 10 x 110/100 = 11 minutes

52. In reference to problem no. 51, what is the standard time for completing this questionnaire given the
allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 10 b. 11
c. 11.5 d. 12.65

Answer: d. 12.65

Standard Time = 11 x (1 + 0.15) = 12.65 minutes

53. Alvin Villegas, of Villegas Consulting Group, takes 3 hours and 25 minutes to write an end of month
report. Alvin is rated at 95% of his work pace and the office has a personal time allowance of 8%. There
is no delay time or fatigue time.

What is the normal time for writing an end of month report?

a. 3.08 b. 3.25
c. 3.42 d. 3.51

Answer: b. 3.25

Normal Time = (3+(25/60)) x 95/100 = 3.25 hours

54. In reference to problem no. 53, what is the standard time for writing an end of month report given the
allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 3.08 b. 3.25
c. 3.42 d. 3.51

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Answer: d. 3.51

Standard Time = 3.24583 x (1 + 0.08) = 3.51 hours

55. The two steps in preparing chocolate candy bars are molding and packaging. Personal fatigue and
delay allowances are set at 15%. The molding machine operator is rated at 110% and the packer is
rated at 80%. Observed times per batch are given below.

Observed Time in Minutes

Task 1 2 3 4
Molding 26 30 29 31
Packing 45 50 35 30

Determine the normal times for both tasks.

a. Molding = 29, Packing = 40 b. Molding = 31.90, Packing = 32

c. Molding = 33.35, Packing = 46 d. Molding = 36.68, Packing = 36.80

Answer: b. Molding = 31.90, Packing = 32

Solution:
Observed Times in Minutes
Task 1 2 3 4
Molding 26 30 29 31
Packing 45 50 35 30

For Molding:
Average for Actual Molding Cycle = 29 minutes
Normal Time = 29 x 110/100 = 31.90 minutes

For Packing:
Average actual Packing time = 40 minutes
Normal Time = 40 x 80/100 = 32 minutes

56. In reference to problem no. 55, determine the standard times for both tasks given the allowances are
added to their normal times.

a. Molding = 29, Packing = 40 b. Molding = 31.90, Packing = 32

c. Molding = 33.35, Packing = 46 d. Molding = 36.68, Packing = 36.8

Answer: d. Molding = 36.68, Packing = 36.8

For Molding:
Standard Time = 31.90 x (1 + 0.15) = 36.68 minutes

For Packing:
Standard Time = 32 x (1 + 0.15) = 36.8 minutes

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57. A work-study sample of a manufacturing activity conducted over a 40-hour period shows that a worker
with an 85% rating produced 12 parts. The worker’s idle time was 10% and the allowance factor was
12%.

Find the normal time per part for this activity.

a. 3.33 b. 3.73
c. 2.83 d. 2.55

Answer: d. 2.55

Normal time = ((40 x 0.90) x (85/100))/12 = 2.55 hours per part

58. In reference to problem no. 57, find the standard time per part for this activity given the allowance is
added to its normal time.

a. 3.73 b. 2.86
c. 3.17 d. 4.18

Answer: b. 2.86

Standard Time = 2.55 + (1 + 0.12) = 2.86

59. A time study was performed on a particular machine, the results of which are as follows:

Mean manual effort time per cycle: 6.53 minutes

Mean cutting time (power feed): 4.36 minutes
Mean performance rating: 115%
Machine allowance (power feed): 10%
Fatigue allowance: 15%

Compute the standard time for the operation given the allowances are added to their normal
times.

a. 12.43 b. 13.43
c. 14.34 d. 15.34

Answer: b. 13.43

Standard power feed cycle time = 4.36 X 1.00 X 1.10 = 4.796

Standard manual effort time = 6.53 X 1.15 X 1.15 = 8.636
Standard time for operation = 13.43 mins.

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60. Raphael is very organized and wants to plan his day perfectly. To do this, he has his friend Francis
time his daily activities. Here are the results of his timing Raphael on polishing two pairs of black
shoes using the snapback method of timing. Assume 5 percent allowance factor for Raphael to put
something mellow on his iPod.

Observed Times
Element 1 2 3 4 Performance Rating

Get shoeshine kit 0.50 125%

Polish shoes 0.94 0.85 0.80 0.81 110%
Put away kit 0.75 80%

What is the standard time for polishing a pair given the allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 2.25 b. 2.45
c. 3.25 d. 3.45

Answer: c. 3.25

Element Sum T Ave T Performance Rating NT

Get shoeshine kit 0.50 0.50 125% 0.625

Polish shoes (2 pairs) 3.40 1.70 110% 1.870
Put away kit 0.75 0.75 80% 0.600
Normal Time 3.095

Standard Time for a pair = 3.095 x 1.05 = 3.25 minutes

61. A time study was conducted on a job that contains four elements. The observed times and
performance ratings for six cycles are shown:

Element Performance Observations

Rating (minutes per cycle)
1 92% 1.44 1.50 1.43 2.45 1.48 1.46
2 88% 0.50 0.54 0.47 0.51 0.49 0.52
3 105% 0.84 0.89 0.77 0.83 0.85 1.98
4 100% 1.20 1.24 1.18 1.30 1.26 1.36

Assuming an allowance factor of 12.5% based on an eight-hour shift, compute the standard time for
the job given the allowance is added to the total time.

a. 3.92 b. 4.48
c. 3.29 d. 4.84

Answer: b. 4.48

Element 1 1.462 x 0.92 = 1.34504

2 0.505 x 0.88 = 0.4444
3 0.836 x 1.05 = 0.8778
4 1.257 x 1.00 = 1.2567
AF = 1 / (1 - 0.125) = 114.286%
ST = 3.92390 x 1.14286 = 4.48 minutes

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62. Consider the following 16 observation data: 12, 16, 13, 15, 13, 25, 13, 13, 12, 14, 14, 15, 14, 13, 14,
16, is the value 25 an outlier?

a. Yes b. No
c. Maybe d. Cannot be determined

Answer: Yes

Solution:

The mean value x = 207/15 = 13.8

Quartile 1, Q1 = 13
Quartile 3, Q3 = 15

1.5IQR = 1.5 x (15 – 13) = 3.0

Since 25 > 13.8 + 3 = 16.8, therefore, it is an outlier.

63. Center for Continuing Education promotes its management development seminars by mailing
thousands of individually composed and typed letters to various firms. A time study has been
conducted on the task of preparing letters for mailing. On the basis of the following observations, the
Center wants to develop a time standard for this task. The firm’s personal, delay, and fatigue
allowance factor is 15%.

Job Element 1 2 3 4 5 PR

A. Compose and type letter 8 10 9 21 11 120%

B. Type envelope address 2 3 2 1 3 105%
C. Seal and sort envelopes 2 1 5 2 1 110%

Compute for the total normal time for this task.

a. 13.84 b. 15.36
c. 17.97 d. 19.25

Answer: b. 15.36

Note: Delete those elemental times which are too high or abnormal – A4: 21 and C3: 5

Normal Times = (9.5)(1.20) + (2.2)(1.05) + (1.5)(1.10) = 15.36 minutes

64. In reference to problem no. 63, compute the standard time given the allowance is added to its normal
time.

a. 15.92 b. 17.66
c. 20.67 d. 22.14

Answer: b. 17.66

ST = 15.36 X (1 + 0.15) = 17.66 minutes

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65. A manufacturing company has conducted a time study for ten cycles of a job. The job has five
elements and the total elemental times (minutes) for each element and performance rating factors are
as follows:

Element Sum t (min) RF

1 3.61 1.05
2 4.84 0.90
3 2.93 1.00
4 4.91 1.10
5 1.78 0.95

Compute the standard time using an allowance factor of 18 percent that is added to its normal
time.

a. 2.15 b. 2.51
c. 3.15 d. 3.51

Answer: a. 2.15

Solution:

Element Sum t Ave t RF N Ave t

1 3.61 0.361 1.05 0.379
2 4.84 0.484 0.90 0.436
3 2.93 0.293 1.00 0.293
4 4.91 0.491 1.10 0.542
5 1.78 0.178 0.95 0.169

NT = Sum Nt
= 1.819 min

ST = NT(1 + AF)
= 1.819(1 + 0.18)
= 2.15 min

66. In reference to problem no. 65, determine the sample size, n, for a time study so there is 98 percent
confidence that the average time computed from the time study is within 4 percent of the actual
average cycle time. The sample standard deviation is 0.23.

a. 40 b. 45
c. 50 d. 55

Answer: d. 55

Solution:

Ave T = Sum Ave t = 1.807 min

Z = 2.33
2
N = (zs/ eAveT)
2
= ((2.33)(0.23)/ (0.04)(1.807))
= 54.97 ~ 55 cycles

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67. A pilot study of 25 readings for a given element showed that average x = 0.30 and s = 0.09. A 5%
desired acceptable fraction e and an alpha = 0.05 for 24 degrees of freedom for estimating on of the
parameters) yield t = 2.064. What is the sample size to be observed?

a. 145 b. 154
c. 125 d. 152

Answer: b. 154

Solution:
2
N = [(0.09)(2.064)/(0.05)(0.30)] = 153.3 = 154

To ensure the required confidence, always round up.

68. Rommel and Leo recently time-studied a janitorial task. From a sample of 75 observations, they
computed an average cycle time of 15 minutes with a standard deviation of 2 minutes. What is the
computed sample size large enough that one can be 99% confident that the standard time is within 5%
of the true value?

a. 40 b. 45
c. 48 d. 52

Answer: c. 48

Solution:

To find the number of samples required:

N = (zs/ eAveT)2
= ((2.58)(2)/ (0.05)(15))2 = 47.15 samples

Therefore, the sample size of 75 is sufficient.

69. Joven Manufacturing has just observed a job in its laboratory in anticipation of releasing the job to the
factory for production. The firm wants rather good accuracy for costing and labor forecasting.
Specifically, it wants to provide a 99% confidence level and a cycle time that is within 3% of the true
value. The data collected so far are as follows:

Observation Time (Min)

1 1.7
2 1.6
3 1.4
4 1.4
5 1.4

How many observations should it make?

a. 41 b. 66
c. 84 d. 93

Answer: b. 66

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Solve for the Average X and sample standard deviation s:

Observation Xi Xi – Ave X (Xi – Ave X)2

1 1.7 0.20 0.04
2 1.6 0.10 0.01
3 1.4 -0.10 0.01
4 1.4 -0.10 0.01
5 1.4 -0.10 0.01
Ave X 1.5 0.08

s = sqrt (0.08/ 5 – 1) = 0.141

z = 2.58
n = ((2.58 x 0.141)/ (0.03 x 1.5))2 = 65.3 = 66

70. The associate dean of the college of business at a technical school has succumbed to faculty
pressure to purchase a new fax machine, although she has always contended that the machine
would have minimal use. She has estimated that the machine will be used only 20 percent of the
time. Now that the machine has been installed, she asked the students in the work measurement
course to conduct a work sampling study to see what the proportion of the time the new fax machine
is used. She wants the estimate to be within 3 percent of the actual proportion, with a confidence
level of 95 percent. Determine the sample size for the work sample.

a. 545 b. 554
c. 638 d. 683

Answer: d. 683

Given:

CL: 95 percent (z = 1.96)

e: 3 percent
p: 20 percent

Solution:

n = ((z/e)2)(p(1 – p))
n = ((1.96/0.03)2)(0.20(1 – 0.20))
n = 682.95 = 683 observations

71. The manager of the order distribution center for the Issa Bags Mfg. has a company directive to
downsize his operation. He has decided to conduct work sampling studies of employees in the order
processing department, the warehouse area, and the packaging area. In the warehouse area he has
17 employees who locate items, pull them, and put them on conveyors to the packaging area. A work
sampling study was conducted over a 5-dayperiod to determine the proportion of time warehouse
employees were idle, and out of the 50 random observations, 400 employees were idle?

How many observations should be taken if the manager wants to be 90 percent confident the
estimate is within 5 percent of the actual proportion of time a warehouse employee is idle?

a. 251 b. 271
c. 850 d. 870

Answer: b. 271

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Given:

No. of warehouse employees: 17 employees

No. of observation days: 5 days
Initial number of observations: 50 observations
Initial number of idle employees: 400 employees
Confidence level: 90 percent (z = 1.65)
Degree error: 5 percent

Solution:

Total number of initial observations = No. of warehouse employees x

Initial no. of observations = 17 employees x 50 observations
= 850 observations

(1 – p) = Initial number of idle employees/ Total number of initial observations

= 400 employees/ 850 observations
= 47 percent

p = 1–p
= 1 – 0.47
= 53 percent

n = ((z/e)2)(p(1 – p))
2
n = ((1.65/0.05) )(0.53(1 – 0.53))

n = 271.27 = 271 observations

72. In reference to problem no. 71, the manager also conducted a work sampling study of the packaging
area and discovered that the 28 employees were idle approximately 37 percent of the time. What is
the required number of packaging area employees so that the manager may redesign his operation to
downsize and be more efficient?

a. 12 b. 14
c. 16 d. 18

Answer: d. 18

Total number of packaging area employees: 28 employees

Percent idle time: 37 percent

Solution:

Number of idle employees = Total number of packaging area employees x

Percent idle time
= 28 employees x 0.37
= 10.36 = 10 employees

Required no. of packaging area employees = Total no. of packaging area employees
- Number of idle employees
= 28 employees – 10 employees
= 18 employees

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73. The National Bank of Zachary has opened up two new drive-through teller windows outside its main
office building in downtown Zachary. The bank is not sure that it needs both windows open all days
so it has decided to conduct a work sampling study to 11:30 am and 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm. The work
sampling study was conducted at random over a 5-day period and the following observations were
recorded:

ObservationTellers Idle Observation Tellers Idle

1 1 16 1
2 1 17 2
3 0 18 2
4 0 19 0
5 0 20 1
6 2 21 2
7 1 22 2
8 2 23 2
9 2 24 0
10 1 25 1
11 1 26 1
12 1 27 0
13 2 28 2
14 2 29 0
15 0 30 2

Bank management wants the study to be 5 percent accurate with a 95 percent confidence level. How
many additional sample observations should be taken?

a. 377 b. 387
c. 347 d. 357

Answer: c. 347

No. of tellers: 2 tellers

No. of observation days: 5 days
Number of observations: 30 observations
Initial number of idle tellers: 34 tellers
Confidence level: 95 percent (z = 1.96)
Degree error: 5 percent

Solution:

Total number of initial observations = No. of tellers x

Initial no. of observations
= 2 tellers x 30 observations
= 60 observations

(1 – p) = Initial number of idle tellers/ Total number of initial observations

= 34 tellers/ 60 observations
= 57 percent

p = 1–p
= 1 – 0.57
= 43 percent

n = ((z/e)2)(p(1 – p))
n = ((1.96/0.05)2)(0.43(1 – 0.43))
n = 376.63 = 377 observations

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Additional number of observations = n – initial number of observations

= 377 observations – 30 observations
= 347 additional observations

74. In reference to problem no. 73, if the bank does not want to conduct a study of more than 100
observations, what is the value of z that is equal to the level of confidence could it expect?

a. 1.01 b. 1.03
c. 1.05 d. 1.07

Answer: a. 1.01

Given

n: 100 observations
p: 43 percent
(1 – p): 57 percent
Degree error: 5 percent

Solution:

n = ((z/e)2)(p(1 – p))

z = e x sqrt(n/ p(1 – p))

z = 0.05 x sqrt(100/ 0.43(1 – 0.43)) = 1.01

Confidence level = 69 percent

75. The head of the department of management at Benjamin University has noticed that the four
secretaries in the departmental office seem to spend a lot of time answering questions from students
that could better be answered by the college advising office, by the faculty advisors, or simply from
the available literature; that is, course schedules, catalogs, the student handbook, and so on. As a
result the department head is considering remodeling the office with cubicles so students do not have
easy access to the secretaries. However, before investing in this project the head has decided to
conduct a work sampling study to determine the proportion of time the secretaries spend assisting
students.

The head arranged for a graduate assistant to make observations for the work sample, but the
graduate student’s schedule enabled her to make only 300 random observations in the time allotted
for the study. The results of the work sampling study showed that the secretaries assisted 12 percent
of the time, somewhat less than the head anticipated.

Given the number of observations that were included in the work sampling study, what is the value of
z to determine how confident can the department head be that the sample result is within 3 percent of
the actual proportion?

a. 1.40 b. 1.20
c. 1.80 d. 1.60

Answer: d. 1.60

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Given:

n: 300 observations
p: 12 percent
(1 – p): 88 percent
Degree error: 3 percent

Solution:

n = ((z/e)2)(p(1 – p))

z = e x sqrt(n/ p(1 – p))

z = 0.03 x sqrt (300/ 0.12(1 – 0.12))
z = 1.60

Confidence level = 89 percent

76. In reference to problem no. 75, how many fewer or additional observations would be required for the
department head to be 95 percent confident in the work sampling results?

a. 451 b. 453
c. 151 d. 153

Answer: c. 151

Solution:

n = ((z/e)2)(p(1 – p))

n = ((1.96/0.03)2)(0.12(1 – 0.12))

n = 450.75 = 451 observations

Additional number of observations = n – initial number of observations

= 451 observations – 300 observations
= 151 additional observations

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77. Mr. DJ Catalog Ordering Company maintains an ordering staff of 30 telephone operators, who take
orders from customers. Management wants to determine the proportion of time that operators are
idle. A work sampling study was conducted at random over a 4-day period, and the following random
observations were recorded:

Observation Operators Idle Observation Operators Idle

10/15: 1 6 11 4
2 5 10/17: 12 7
3 4 13 3
4 7 14 3
5 5 15 6
6 2 16 5
10/16: 7 4 17 7
8 3 18 4
9 5 10/19: 19 5
10 6 20 6

If management wants the proportion of time from the work sampling study to be 2 percent accurate
with a confidence level of 98 percent, how many additional sampling observations should be taken?

a. 1820 b. 1840
c. 1850 d. 1860

Answer: a. 1820

Given:

No. of telephone operators: 30 operators

No. of observation days: 4 days
Initial number of observations: 20 observations
Initial number of idle operators: 97 operators
Confidence level: 98 percent (z = 2.33)
Degree error: 2 percent

Solution:

Total number of initial observations = No. of tellers x

Initial no. of observations
= 30 operators x 20 observations
= 600 observations

(1 – p) = Initial number of idle operators/ Total number of initial observations

= 97 operators/ 600 observations
= 16.16667 percent

p = 1 – (1- p)
= 1 – 0.16167
= 83.83334 percent
2
n = ((z/e) )(p(1 – p))

n = ((2.33/0.02)2)(0.83833(1 – 0.83833))

n = 1839.5067 = 1840 observations

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Additional number of observations = n – initial number of observations

= 1840 observations – 20 observations
= 1820 additional observations

78. In reference to problem no. 77, based on the time required to take the first 20 observations, how
many days will be required to conduct this study?

a. 365 b. 368
c. 465 d. 468

Answer: b. 368

Solution:

Initial Number of Observations: 20 observations

No. of Initial Observations Days: 4 days
Required Number of Observations: 1840 observations

Reqd No. of Days to Conduct the Study (x) = (Reqd Number of Observations X
No. of Initial Observations Days)/
Initial No. of Observations

x= (1840 observations X 4 days)/

20 observations
x= 368 days

79. In reference to problem no. 77, if the bank does not want to conduct a study of more than 500
observations, what is the value of z corresponding to the level of confidence could it expect?

a. 1.40 b. 1.20
c. 1.80 d. 1.60

Answer: b. 1.20

Given:

n: 500 observations
p: 83.83334 percent
(1 – p): 16.16666 percent
Degree error: 2 percent

Solution:
2
n = ((z/e) )(p(1 – p))

z = e x sqrt(n/ p(1 – p))

z = 0.02 x sqrt(500/ 0.83334(1 – 0.83334))

z = 1.20

Confidence level = 77 percent

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80. In reference to problem no. 77, if the manager discovered that the 30 operators were idle
approximately 22 percent of the time. What is the required number of operators so that the manager
may redesign his operation to downsize and be more efficient?

a. 17 b. 19
c. 21 d. 23

Answer: d. 23

Given:

Total number of operators: 30 operators

Percent idle time: 22 percent

Solution:

Number of idle operators = Total number of operators x

Percent idle time
= 30 operators x 0.22
= 6.6 = 7 operators

Required no. of operators = Total no. of operators

- Number of idle operators
= 30 operators – 7 employees
= 23 employees

81. A total of 15 observations have taken on a head baker for a school district. The numerical breakdown
of the baker’s activities is --

Make ready Do Clean up Idle

2 6 3 4

Based on this information, how many work-sampling observations are required to determine how much
of the baker’s time is spent in “doing”? Assume a 5 percent desired absolute accuracy and 95 percent
confidence level.

a. 384 b. 348
c. 386 d. 368

Answer: d. 368

p = “doing” = 6/10 = 60%

e = 5%

n = ((1.96/0.05)2)(0.60(1 – 0.60)) = 368

82. The manager of a small supermarket chain wants to estimate the proportion of time stock clerks
spend making price changes on previously marked merchandise. The manager wants a 98 percent
confidence that the resulting estimate will be within 5 percent of the true value. The preliminary
estimate of sample size is p = 0.50. What sample size should be used?

a. 243 b. 343
c. 443 d. 543

Answer: d. 543

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2
n = (2.33/ 0.05) (0.50)(1 – 0.50) = 542.89 = 543

83. In reference to problem no. 32, suppose that in the first 20 observations, stock clerks were found to
be changing prices twice, what is the new sample size for this?

a. 176 b. 186
c. 196 d. 206

Answer: c. 196

n = (233/ 0.05)2 (2/20)(1 – 2/20) = 195.44 = 196

84. An analyst has been asked to prepare an estimate of the proportion of time that a turret lathe operator
spends adjusting the machine, with a 90 percent confidence level. Based on previous experience, the
analyst believes the proportion will be approximately 30 percent. If the analyst uses a sample size of
400 observations, what is the maximum possible error that will be associated with the estimate?

a. 3.80% b. 4.80%
c. 5.80% d. 6.80%

Answer: a. 3.80%

z = 1.65 (90 percent confidence)

e = (1.65) sqrt ((0.30 x 0.70)/ 400) = 0.038 = 3.8%

85. In reference to problem no. 84, what sample size would the analyst need in order to have the
maximum error be no more than 5 percent?

a. 129 b. 229
c. 321 d. 421

Answer: b. 229

n = (1.65/ 0.05)2 (0.30)(0.70) = 228.69 = 229

86. A work sampling study was conducted on a particular machine and the result is provided in the tally
sheet below:
No. of Observations
Running 28
Idle
Broken 6
Out of stock 11
Others 5

At 95% confidence level, the machine is expected to run between __________% and _________ %
of an 8-hour work-shift.

a. 42% & 70% b. 40% & 72%

c. 56% & 70% d. 50% & 76%

Answer: a. 42% & 70%

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At 95% confidence level, z = 1.96

n=50 p=28/50 = 0.56, q=22/50=0.44

n = ((z/e)2)(p(1 – p))
2 2
50 = ((1.96) /e )(0.56(1 – 0.56)
2
50 = (3.8416/e )(0.2632)

50/0.2632 = 3.8416/e2
2
50e = (0.2632)(3.8416)

e2 = 1.0111/50

e = 0.14

Z 2 / 2 pq (1.96) 2 (0.56)(0.44)
n
e2 e2

(1.96) 2 (0.56)(0.44)
e  0.137591
50

Range of Machine Running Time (as % of 8-hour shift) = 56% ± 14%

= 42% & 70%

87. Given:

Information Source of Data Data for One Day

Total time available for Time cards 480 mins.

Operator (working and
Idle time)
Number of parts produced Inspection Department 420 pieces
Working time in percent Work sampling 85%
Idle time in percent Work sampling 15%
Average performance index Work sampling 110%
Total allowances Company time-study 15%

Calculate the standard time per piece of the above data from work sampling study given the
allowance is added to its normal time.

a. 1.43 b. 1.23
c. 1.34 d. 1.32

Answer: b. 1.23

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(Total time in min) x (Working time percent)

x Performance index)
Standard time = ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + Allowance)
Per piece Total number of pieces produced

480 x 0.85 x 1.10

= ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + 0.15)
420

= 1.23 minutes per piece

88. Suppose you want to set a time standard for the baker making her specialty, square donuts. A work
sampling study of her on “donut day” yielded the following results:

Time spent (working and idle) 320 minutes

Number of donuts produced 5,000
Working time 280 minutes
Performance rating 125%
Allowances 10%

What is the standard time per donut given the allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 0.08 b. 0.10
c. 0.12 d. 0.14

Answer: a. 0.08

Solution:
(Total time in min) x (Working time percent)
x Performance index)
Standard time = ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + Allowance)
Per donut Total number of donuts produced

320 x 0.875 x 1.25

= ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + 0.10)
5,000

= 0.08 minute per donut

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89. Sharee Backpackers is a small-order operation specializing in outdoor camping and hiking equipment
and clothing. In addition to its normal pool of telephone operators to take customer orders, the
company has a group of customer service operators to respond to customer complaints and product
related-inquiries. The time required for customer service operators to handle customer calls differs,
based on an operator’s ability to think fast and quickly recall from memory product information
(without using product description screens on the computer).

The company wants to determine the standard time required for a customer service operator to
complete a call without having to resort to a time study. Instead, management had a work sampling
study of an operator conducted during an 8-hour workday that included 160 observations. The study
showed the operator was talking to customers only 78 percent of the time, and call records indicated
that the operator was handled 120 customer calls during the day.

The customer service manager has indicated that the particular operator that was studied performs
about 110 percent compared with a normal operator. Company policy allows 15 percent personal
time on the job for lunch, breaks, and so on. Determine the standard time per customer call given the
allowance is added to its normal time?

a. 2.85 b. 3.95
c. 4.05 d. 4.15

Answer: b. 3.95

Information Source of Data Data for One Day

Total time available for Time cards 480 mins.

Operator (working and
Idle time)
Number of calls handled Call records 120 customer calls
Working time in percent Work sampling 78%
Idle time in percent Work sampling 22%
Average performance index Work sampling 110%
Total allowances Company time-study 15%

Solution:
(Total time in min) x (Working time percent)
x Performance index)
Standard time = ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + Allowance)
Per call Total number of calls handled

480 x 0.78 x 1.10

= ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + 0.15)
120

= 3.95 minutes per customer call

90. A work sampling study was made of a cargo loading operation for the purpose of developing a
standard time. During the total 120 minutes of observation the employee was working 80% of the time
and loaded 60 pieces of cargo. The analyst rated the performance at 90%. The firm wishes to
incorporate an allowance factor for fatigue, delays, and personal time of 10% of normal work time.
What is the standard time for this operation in minutes per piece given the allowance is added to its
normal time?

a. 1.58 b. 1.85
c. 2.85 d. 2.58

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Answer: a. 1.58

(Total time in min) x (Working time percent)

x Performance index)
Standard time = ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + Allowance)
Per piece Total pieces of cargo

120 x 0.80 x 0.90

= ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 + 0.10)
60

= 1.58 minutes per piece

91. A work sampling study of customer service representatives in a telephone company office showed
that a receptionist was working 80 percent of the time at 100 percent PR. This receptionist handled
200 customers during the 8-hour study period. Company policy is to give allowances of 10 percent of
total on-the-job time. Find the standard time per customer given the allowance is added to its total
time.

a. 3.81 b. 3.18
c. 2.31 d. 2.13

Answer: d. 2.13
(Total time in min) x (Working time percent)
x Performance index)
Standard time = ----------------------------------------------------- x (1 / 1 – Allowance)
Per customer Total customers handled

480 x 0.80 x 1.00

= ----------------------------------------------------- x (1/ 1 – 0.10)
200

= 2.13 minutes per customer

92. Timbuktu General Hospital wants to set the standard time for lab technicians to pour a tube specimen
using MTM. The sample tube is in a rack and the centrifuge tubes in a nearby box. A technician
removes the sample tube from the rack, uncaps it, gets the centrifuge tube, pours, and places both
tubes in the rack.

Element Description Element TMU

Get tube from rack AA2 35
Uncap, place on counter AA2 35
Get centrifuge tube and place at sample tube AD2 45
Pour (3 sec) PT 83
Place tubes in rack PC2 40

Compute for the total standard time for this task in seconds.

a. 2.6 b. 4.6
c. 6.6 d. 8.6

Answer: d. 8.6

Total TMU = 35 + 35 + 45 + 83 + 40 = 238 TMUs

Standard Time = 238 x 0.0006 = 0.143 min = 8.6 seconds

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93. Consider the following task broken down into 5 MTM elements:

TMUs Code in MTM Books

Reach to tool box 14.2 R12D
Grasp a tool 3.5 BG1
Separate tool by 10.6 AP2
pressing
Turn tool 3.5 T45S
Move and focus eyes 13.4 M12B

What is the total time in seconds for the task?

a. 1.36 b. 1.63
c. 2.70 d. 4.52

Answer: b. 1.63

Solution:

TMUs Code in MTM Books

Reach to tool box 14.2 R12D
Grasp a tool 3.5 BG1
Separate tool by pressing 10.6 AP2
Turn tool 3.5 T45S
Move and focus eyes 13.4 M12B
TOTAL 45.2

Remember: 1 TMU = .0006 minute.

Translating to minutes: 45.2 TMUs *0.0006 = 0.027 minute
Translating to seconds: 0.027 minute * 60 = 1.63 seconds

94. At Derrick Micro Manufacturing, Inc., workers press semiconductors into pre-drilled slots on printed
circuit boards. The elemental motions for normal time used by the company are as follows:

Element Description TMU

Reach 6 inches for semiconductors 40
Grasp the semiconductor 10
Move semiconductor to printed circuit board 30
Position semiconductor 35
Press semiconductor into slots 65
Move board aside 20

Determine the standard time for this operation in seconds.

a. 7.2 b. 9.2
c. 11.4 d. 13.4

Answer: a. 7.2

Total TMU = 40 + 10 + 30 + 35 + 65 + 20 = 200

Standard Time in minutes = 200 x 0.0006 = 0.12 min. = 7.2 seconds

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95. Assume a total cycle time of 4 minutes to produce a product, as measured from the start of the
unloading of the previously completed product to the end of the machine cycle time. Operator
servicing, which includes both the unloading of the completed product and the unloading of the raw
materials, is 1 minute, while the cycle time of the automatic machine cycle is 3 minutes. How many
machines are to be assigned to the operator for this synchronous servicing?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

Answer: b. 4

Number of Machine Assignment

l+m
n = -------------------
l

where n = number of machines the operator is assigned

l = total operator loading and unloading (servicing) time per machine
m = total machine running time (automatic power feed)

Given:

l = 1 minute
m = 3 minutes

l+m
n = -------------------
l

1+3
n = ----------------- = 4 machines
1

96. It takes an operator 1 minute to service a machine and 0.1 minute to walk to the next machine. Each
machine runs automatically for 3 minutes, the operator earns $10 per hour and the machines cost
$20 per hour to run. How many machines that the operator can service?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

Answer: a. 3

Under Machine Interference

l+m
n1 <= -------------------
l+w

where n1 = lowest whole number of machines the operator is assigned

l = total operator loading and unloading (servicing) time per machine
m = total machine running time (automatic power feed)
w = total worker time (not directly interacting with the machine, typically walking time to the next
machine)

Total Expected Cost (TEC)

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K1(l + m) +n1K2(1+m)
TECn1 = ------------------------------------
n1
or
(l + m)(K1 + n1K2)
TECn1 = -----------------------------
n1

where TEC = total expected cost per unit of production from one machine
K1 = operator rate per unit of time
K2 = cost of machine per unit of time

Given:

l = 1 minute
m = 3 minutes
w = 0.1 minute
K1 = $10/hour = 10/60 per minute
K2 = $20 per run

n = (l + m)/(l + w) = (1 +3)/(1 + 0.1) = 3.6

(l + m)(K1 + n1K2)
TECn1 = -----------------------------
n1

(1 + 3)((10/60) + 3(20/60))
TEC3 = -----------------------------------
3

(4)(1.16667)
TEC3 = -----------------------
3

TEC3 = $1.556/ unit

TEC4 = (l + w)(K1 + n2K2)/n1 = (1 + 0.10)(10 + 4(20))/60 = $1.650/ unit

Therefore, assign 3 machines to an operator.

97. The home security devices produced by a firm are assembled manually in 4 successive steps. Unit
time requirements for these 4 operations are expected to be as follows:

Assembly Operation Required Time Per Unit (sec)

1 64
2 95
3 32
4 142

To satisfy the forecasted demand for the devices, it will be necessary to setup an assembly line which
is capable of yielding an output of 9,000 units in the 40 hours during which the plant operates each
week. What number of workers must be assigned to each operation 2 and 4, if the result is to be a
fairly well balanced line with the required output capacity?

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a. 4 and 7 b. 5 and 8
c. 6 and 9 d. 7 and 10

Answer: c. 6 and 9

Desired Cycle Time = (40 hr X 60 min X 60 sec)/9,000 units

CT= 16 sec/unit
Operation 2:
No. of workers = (95 sec/unit) / (16 sec/unit) = 5.9375 or 6 workers
Operation 4:
No. of workers = (142 sec/unit) / (16 sec/unit) = 8.875 or 9 workers
6 and 9 workers

98. Consider a worker lifting a 40-lb load less than once every 5 minutes. The average person’s
maximum strength capability is 100 lb. With the short duration exertion of 0.05 minute, calculate the rest
allowance for this infrequent use of muscular force activity.

a. 5% b. 6%
c. 7% d. 8%

Answer: c. 7%

Solution:

RA = 1,800 X (t/T)1.4 X (f/F – 0.15)0.5

Where RA = rest allowance (% of time t)

t = duration of holding time (time)
f = holding force (lb)
F = maximum holding force (lb)
T = maximum holding time for holding force f (min), defined as
0.618
T = [1.2/ (f/F – 0.15) ] – 1.21

Given:

f = 40 lbs.
F = 100 lbs.
t = 0.05 min.

T = [1.2/ (f/F – 0.15)0.618 ] – 1.21

T = [1.2/((40/100) – 0.15)0.618 ] – 1.21 = 1.62 minutes

1.4 0.5
RA = 1,800 X (t/T) X (f/F – 0.15)

RA = 1,800 X (0.05/1.62)1.4 X ((40/100) – 0.15)0.5 = 6.96 = 7%

99. A worker is shoveling sand at a rate of 8 kcal/min. How much rest does he need during an 8-hour
shift?

a. 0.20 b. 1.20
c. 2.20 d. 3.20

Answer: d. 3.20

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R = (W – 5.33)/(W – 1.33)

Where R = time required for rest, as percent of total time

W = average energy expenditure during work, kcal/ min

Notes: A 5.33 kcal/ min (21.3 BTU/ min) limit for acceptable energy expenditure for an 8-hour work day
has been proposed by Bink (1962) while the value of 1.33 kcal/ min (5.3 BTU/ min) is the energy
expenditure during rest.

Using the rest allocation formula

R = (W - 5.33)/(W - 1.33)
R = (8 - 5.33)/(8 - 1.33) = 0.4003

Therefore, in an 8-hour shift, the worker would need to rest 8 × 0.4003 = 3.2024 hours

100. A study reveals that a group of three semiautomatic machines assigned to one operator operates
unattended 80 percent of the time. Operator service time at irregular intervals averages 30 percent of
the time on these three machines. What would be the estimated machine hours lost per eight-hour
day because of lack of an operator?

a. 0.43 b. 1.51
c. 0.97 d. 1.94

Answer: 1.94

The successive terms of the binomial expansion give a useful approximation of the probability of 0, 1, 2,
3,…, n machines down (where n is relatively small), assuming that each machine is down at random
times during the day and that the probability of downtime is p and the probability of runtime is q = 1 – p.
Each term of the binomial expansion can be expressed as a probability of m (out of n) machines down:
n!
P(m of n) = -------------------------- x pmqn – m
m!(n – m)!

Machines Down Probability Machine Hours Lost

3! .30 .73 = 0.343
0 0
0!3!
3! .31 .72 = 0.441
1 0
1!2!
3! .32 .71 = 0.189
2 (0.189)(8) = 1.512
2!1!
3! .33 .70 = 0.027
3 (0.027)(2)(8) = 0.432
3!0!

A total of 1.512 + 0.432 = 1.944 hours are lost per day because of interference.

101. A man lifts a 25 kg load less than once every 7 minutes. The average man’s maximum strength
capability is 130 lb. With the short duration exertion of 2.4 seconds, calculate the rest allowance for this
infrequent use of muscular force activity.

a. 5% b. 6%
c. 7% d. 8%

Answer: b. 6%

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Solution:

RA = 1,800 X (t/T)1.4 X (f/F – 0.15)0.5

Where RA = rest allowance (% of time t)

t = duration of holding time (time)
f = holding force (lb)
F = maximum holding force (lb)
T = maximum holding time for holding force f (min), defined as
0.618
T = 1.2/ (f/F – 0.15) – 1.21

Given:

f = 25 kgs = 25*2.2 = 55 lbs.

F = 130 lbs.
t = 2.4 secs = 2.4/60 = 0.04 min.

T = [1.2/ (f/F – 0.15)0.618 ] – 1.21

T = [1.2/((55/130) – 0.15)0.618 ] – 1.21 = 1.46642 minutes

RA = 1,800 X (t/T)1.4 X (f/F – 0.15)0.5

1.4 0.5
RA = 1,800 X (0.04/1.46642) X ((55/130) – 0.15) = 5.98 = 6%

102. A man is drilling a hole in concrete pavement at a rate of 6.5 kcal/min. How much rest does he need
for a 6-hour work?

a. 0.34 b. 1.36
c. 2.23 d. 3.27

Answer: b. 1.36

R = (W – 5.33)/(W – 1.33)

Where R = time required for rest, as percent of total time

W = average energy expenditure during work, kcal/ min

Notes: A 5.33 kcal/ min (21.3 BTU/ min) limit for acceptable energy expenditure for an 8-hour work day
has been proposed by Bink (1962) while the value of 1.33 kcal/ min (5.3 BTU/ min) is the energy
expenditure during rest.

Using the rest allocation formula

R = (W - 5.33)/(W - 1.33)
R = (6.5 - 5.33)/(6.5 - 1.33) = 1.17/5.17 = 0.22630

Therefore, in a 6-hour work, the worker would need to rest 6 × 0.22630 = 1.36 hours

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103. Assume a total cycle time of 6 minutes to produce a product, as measured from the start of the
unloading of the previously completed product to the end of the machine cycle time. Operator
servicing, which includes both the unloading of the completed product and the unloading of the raw
materials, is 75 seconds. How many machines are to be assigned to the operator for this
synchronous servicing?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

Answer: c. 5

Number of Machine Assignment

l+m
n = -------------------
l

where n = number of machines the operator is assigned

l = total operator loading and unloading (servicing) time per machine
m = total machine running time (automatic power feed)

Given:

l = 75 seconds = 75/60 = 1.25 minutes

m = 6 – 1.25 = 4.75 minutes

l+m
n = -------------------
l

1.25 + 4.75
n = --------------------- = 4.8 = 5 machines
1.25

104. It takes an operator 45 seconds to service a machine and 4 seconds to walk to the next machine.
Each machine runs automatically for 3.5 minutes, the operator earns P65 per hour and the machines
cost P1000 per hour to run. How many machines that the operator can service?

a. 3 b. 4
c. 5 d. 6

Answer: d. 6

Under Machine Interference

l+m
n1 <= -------------------
l+w

where n1 = lowest whole number of machines the operator is assigned

l = total operator loading and unloading (servicing) time per machine
m = total machine running time (automatic power feed)
w = total worker time (not directly interacting with the machine, typically walking time to the next
machine)

Total Expected Cost (TEC)

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K1(l + m) +n1K2(1+m)
TECn1 = ------------------------------------
n1
or
(l + m)(K1 + n1K2)
TECn1 = -----------------------------
n1

where TEC = total expected cost per unit of production from one machine
K1 = operator rate per unit of time
K2 = cost of machine per unit of time

Given:

l = 45 seconds = 45/60 minute

m = 3.5 minutes
w = 4 seconds = 4/60 minute
K1 = P65/hour = 65/60 per minute
K2 = P1000 per hour run = 1000/60 per minute

n = (l + m)/(l + w) = ((45/60) +3.5)/((45/60) + (4/60))

n = (l + m)/(l + w) = (0.75 +3.5)/(0.75 + 0.06667)

n = (l + m)/(l + w) = 4.25/0.81667 = 5.2

(l + m)(K1 + n1K2)
TECn1 = -----------------------------
n1

((45/60) + 3.5)((65/60) + 5(1000/60))

TEC5 = ----------------------------------------------------
5

(4.25)(84.41333)
TEC5 = --------------------------
5

TEC5 = P71.75/ unit

((45/60) + 3.5)((65/60) + 6(1000/60))

TEC6 = ----------------------------------------------------
6

(4.25)(101.08333)
TEC6 = --------------------------
6

TEC6 = P71.60/ unit

Therefore, assign 6 machines to an operator.

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REFERENCES

[1] Barnes, R.M., “Motion and Time Study Design and Measurement of Work, Seventh Edition”, John
Wiley & Sons, Inc., 1980

[2] Freivalds Andris, “Niebel’s Methods, Standards, and Work Design, Twelfth Edition”, McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc., 2009

[3] Heizer, J. and Render, B., “Operations Management, Tenth Edition”. Prentice Hall, Inc., 2011

[4] International Labour Organization. “Introduction to Work Study”. ILO Publications, 1979

[5] Jacobs, F.R. et al, “Operations and Supply Chain Management, Thirteenth Edition”, McGraw Hill
Companies, Inc., 2011

[6] Monks, J.G., “Schaum’s Outline of Theory and Problems of Operations Management, Second
Edition”, McGraw Hill Companies, Inc., 1996

[7] Russel, R.S. and Taylor, B.W., III “Operations Management, Third Edition”, Prentice Hall, Inc.,
2000

[8] Stevenson, W.J., “Production/ Operations Management, Fifth Edition”. McGraw Hill Companies,
Inc., 1996

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