10 - 1© 2011 Pearson Education Time Studies  Involves timing a sample of a worker’s performance and using it to set a standard  Requires trained and experienced observers  Cannot be set before the work is performed

10 - 2© 2011 Pearson Education Time Studies 1.Define the task to be studied 2.Divide the task into precise elements 3.Decide how many times to measure the task 4.Time and record element times and rating of performance

10 - 3© 2011 Pearson Education Time Studies 5.Compute average observed time Average observed time Sum of the times recorded to perform each element Number of observations = 6.Determine performance rating and normal time Normal time = x Average observed time Performance rating factor

10 - 4© 2011 Pearson Education Time Studies 7.Add the normal times for each element to develop the total normal time for the task 8.Compute the standard time Standard time = Total normal time 1 - Allowance factor

10 - 5© 2011 Pearson Education Rest Allowances  Personal time allowance  4% - 7% of total time for use of restroom, water fountain, etc.  Delay allowance  Based upon actual delays that occur  Fatigue allowance  Based on our knowledge of human energy expenditure

10 - 6© 2011 Pearson Education Time Study Example Allowance factor = 15% Performance Job Element12345Rating (A)Compose and type letter *11120% (B)Type envelope address % (C)Stuff, stamp, seal, and215*2 1110% sort envelopes Cycle Observed (in minutes) 1.Delete unusual or nonrecurring observations (marked with *) 2.Compute average times for each element Average time for A = ( )/4 = 9.5 minutes Average time for B = ( )/5 = 2.2 minutes Average time for C = ( )/4 = 1.5 minutes

10 - 7© 2011 Pearson Education Time Study Example 3.Compute the normal time for each element Normal time for A = (9.5)(1.2) = 11.4 minutes Normal time for B = (2.2)(1.05) = 2.31 minutes Normal time for C = (1.5)(1.10) = 1.65 minutes Normal time = (Average observed time) x (Rating) 4.Add the normal times to find the total normal time Total normal time = = minutes

10 - 8© 2011 Pearson Education Time Study Example 5.Compute the standard time for the job Standard time = Total normal time 1 - Allowance factor = = minutes

10 - 9© 2011 Pearson Education Required sample size = n = 2 zs hx whereh=accuracy level (acceptable error) desired in percent of the job element expressed as a decimal z=number of standard deviations required for the desired level of confidence s=standard deviation of the initial sample x=mean of the initial sample n=required sample size Desired Confidence (%) z Value (standard deviation required for desired level of confidence) Common z Values Table 10.2

© 2011 Pearson Education Work Sampling  Estimates percent of time a worker spends on various tasks  Requires random observations to record worker activity  Determines how employees allocate their time  Can be used to set staffing levels, reassign duties, estimate costs, and set delay allowances

© 2011 Pearson Education Work Sampling 1.Take a preliminary sample to obtain estimates of parameter values 2.Compute the sample size required 3.Prepare a schedule for random observations at appropriate times 4.Observe and record worker activities 5.Determine how workers spend their time

© 2011 Pearson Education Work Sampling Determining the sample size n = z 2 p(1 - p) h 2 wheren=required sample size z=standard normal deviate for desired confidence level p=estimated value of sample proportion h=acceptable error level in percent

© 2011 Pearson Education Work Sampling Example Wants employees idle 25% of the time Sample should be accurate within 3% Wants to have 95.45% confidence in the results n = z 2 p(1 - p) h 2 wheren=required sample size z=2 for a 95.45% confidence level p=estimate of idle proportion = 25% =.25 h=acceptable error of 3% =.03 n = = 833 observations (2) 2 (.25)(.75) (.03) 2

© 2011 Pearson Education Work Sampling Example No. of ObservationsActivity 485On the phone or meeting with a welfare client 126Idle 62Personal time 23Discussions with supervisor 137Filing, meeting, and computer data entry 833 All but idle and personal time are work related Percentage idle time = ( )/833 = 22.6% Since this is less than the target value of 25%, the workload needs to be adjusted

© 2011 Pearson Education Work Sampling Time Studies Salespeople Telephone sales 12% Telephone within firm 13% Lunch and personal 10% Meetings and other 8% Paperwork 17% Travel 20% Sales in person 20%

© 2011 Pearson Education Work Sampling Time Studies Productive work 67% Startup/exercise 3% Breaks and lunch 10% Dead time between tasks 13% Cleanup 3% Unscheduled tasks and downtime 4% Assembly-Line Employees Figure 10.10

Standard Time For the Job? Allowance Factor for Job = 20% Job Element Observations (Minutes) Performance Rating (%) A B C © 2011 Pearson Education

Answer: Standard Time Should be 1.64 min © 2011 Pearson Education