Work Study – Method Study

Techniques for improving

productivity

Asst Prof JOSEPH GEORGE KONNULLY

Company
LOGO
 Outline

1.
1. Work
WorkStudy
Study

2.
2. Method
MethodStudy
Study

3.
3. Various
VariousCharts
Charts

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 2

 Work Study (Cont.)

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 3

 WORK STUDY - TECHNIQUES

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 4

 Work Study
 1.1.1 Definition of Work Study
 According to the British Standard Institution, “Work Study is
a generic term for those techniques, particularly Method Study
and Work Measurement, which are used in all its context, and
which lead systematically to the investigation of all the factors
, which affect the efficiency and economy of the situation
being reviewd in order to effect improvement”.

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 5

 Objectives of Work Study

 Objectives of Work Study

 To analyse the present method of doing the job in order to
develop a better method.
 To measure the work content of the job by measuring the
time required to do the job for a qualified worker and
hence to establish the standard time.
 To increase the productivity by ensuring best possible use
of human, machine and material resources and to achieve
best quality product/service at minimum possible cost.
 To improve operational efficiency.

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 6

 Method Study - Introduction
 Method Study is a technique to reduce the work content by
analysing each operation of a given piece of work very
closely in order to eliminate unnecessary
operations/movements by workers, materials or equipments. It
includes standardization of equipment, method and working
conditions, and training the operators to follow the standard
method
 However, even after that, there could be substantial
unnecessary time taken for the process because of lack of
management control or inaction of worker.
 Method Study approaches and tools of Method Analyst:

Flow Diagrams & Process Charts etc.

Critical questioning techniques.

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 7

 Method Study - Definition
.
1.2.1 Definition of Method study
Method study can be defined as “Systematic recording and
critical examination of existing and proposed ways of doing
work, as a means of developing and applying easier and more
effective method and thereby reducing costs”.

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 8

 Method Study Objectives

 Improvement of processes and procedures so as to

improve productivity and thereby reduce operating cost.
 Improvement in the design of plant and equipment.
 Improvement of layout.
 Improvement in the use of men, materials and machines.
 Economy in human effort and reduction of unnecessary
fatigue.
 To Standardise work methods or processes, machinery,
equipments and tools.
 Development of better working environment.

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 9

 Method study - Methodology
 Procedure to accomplish method study, called "SREDIM"
shall be as follow:
1. Select: the job or operation that needs improvement,
2. Record: all facts, how work is done by chart methods,
3. Examine: every aspect of the job by asking; what, why,
where, when, who and how
4. Develop: review ideas, eliminate, simplify, combine, re-
arrange, make new method which more safe, chart new
method, submit for approval,
5. Install: the new method, consider best time to introduce,
convince all, train users,
6. Maintain: check frequently, match results, correct
deviations.

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 10

 Methodology (Cont.)
Select
Record

Examine

OK
?

Develop
Install

November 3, 2024
Maintain
Lab # 6: Method Study 11
 Method Study Tools

 Exploratory Tools

Pareto Analysis

Fish & Bone Diagrams

Gantt and PERT charts
 Recording and Analysis Tools

Outline Process Chart

Flow process chart

Flow diagram

Worker and Machine Process Charts

Gang Process charts

Synchronous Servicing

November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 12

 Recording Techniques
 Charts
1. Outline process chart.
2. Flow process chart (man-type, material-type and
equipment-type): This is the use of symbols and
description to chart the sequence of work. The process,
then, show what is happening at different stages.
The distances and time may be given.
3. Two hands process charts.
4. Multiple activity charts: This technique is used to solve
problems where a number of items are dependent on each
other. The aim is to reduce idle times by using the optimum
number of each item. It depicts the occupied times-broken
down into the number of different activities and the idle
times both for the original and proposed methods of doing
the job.
November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 13
 Recording Techniques (Cont.)

 Diagrams and models (2-D and/or 3-D)

1. Flow diagrams, which is the use of symbols for flow
process charts, superimposed on drawings and the
"descriptions" are not necessary.
2. String diagrams, which is used for solving movement
problems since it shows congestions and excessive
distances.
3. Cut-out templates (2-D models).
4. 3-D models.
 Photography
1. Photographs,
2. Films,
3. Video.
November 3, 2024 Lab # 6: Method Study 14
 Process Chart Symbols
1.Operatio
n
Indicates the main steps in a process, method or procedure.
Usually the part, material or product concerned is modified
or
changed during the operation.

2.Inspectio
n
Indicates an inspection for quality and / or check for quantity

3.Transpor
t
Indicates the movement of workers, materials or equipment
from place to place

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4.Temporary Storage or
Delay
Indicates a delay in the sequence of events : for example, work waiting
between consecutive operations, or any object laid aside temporarily
without record until required.

5.Permanent
Storage
Indicates a controlled storage in which material is received into
or issued from a store under some form of authorization; or an
item is retained for reference purposes.

6.Combined
Activities
Indicates a Two symbols may be combined when two activities are
performed concurrently operation and inspection.

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Figure: 17
 COMPARISION BETWEEN
PRESENT AND IMPROVED METHOD

CYCLE MAN IDLE MACHINE

TIME TIME(MIN) IDLE TIME
(MIN) ( MIN)

PRESENT 2.0 0.8 1.2

METHOD

IMPROVED 1.4 0.2 0.6

METHOD

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 EQUIPMENT REQUIRED

2. Movie Camera. 3. wink counter.

1. 16 mm film.

Exposure meter. Motion picture projector with

screen 19
 Cyclegraph

 A record of path of movements, usually traced by a

continuous source of a light on a photograph.
 The path of movement of a hand, may be recorded on a
photograph by putting a ring carrying small light on
worker’s hand.
 A path of light resembling a white wire is seen.
 Later it is used with a stereoscopic camera to show the
path in three dimensions .

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 Cyclegraph

Light (bulb) attached to the hand

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 Flow diagram
 It’s a top view of the work area correctly
indicating the positions of machining and other
locations affecting the movement of subject.
 Therefor it gives “on-the-spot observation” of the
paths of movement of product sometimes using
symbols of process charts.

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