INSY 3021 Time Study Auburn University Spring 2005

Establishment of Time Standards Estimates Historical records Standards

Estimates Original method Unfair due to variability among estimators Looking at a job and judging the amount of the time needed

Historical Records Based on the record of previously performed similar jobs Measures time over entire job, with no consideration of delays Better than estimates (or lack of a standard)

Time Study Develops a time standard for performing a task Measures work content, allows for fatigue, personal and unavoidable delays Increases the efficiency of the equipment and personnel

“A Fair Days Work” The amount of work that can be produced by a qualified employee when working at a normal pace and effectively utilizing their time where work is not restricted by process limitations

Responsibility Notification Proper lubricants, materials, feeds & speeds, knowledge of procedure Normal pace, no introduction of new movements Union support

Equipment Stopwatch Decimal minute watch – 100 divisions (.01 minute) Provides continuous or snapback timing Electronic watch – accuracy of.001 second (600 times more accurate) Provides both continuous and snapback timing

Equipment (con’t) Computer-Assisted electronic stopwatches Video cameras Time study board Time study forms (TP) Training equipment

Time Study Elements Watch operator for several cycles Break task down into fine elements Look for natural breakpoints using both sight and sound Record elements in proper sequence Do not repeat identical elements descriptions, just reference the previous #

Timing Record only what is necessary to rebuild later (TP) Snapback: Watch is reset after each breakpoint of an element Continuous: Watch is allowed to run for the entire job being evaluated

Snapback Method No clerical time needed to subtract from the previous observations as in continuous (TP) Read and record Observed Time (OT) directly Short element times are difficult to time Possible cycle time lost during the snapback (N/A to electronic watch)

Continuous Method Continuous: Watch is allowed to run for the entire job being evaluated Presents a complete record for the entire observation period All delays and foreign elements are recorded Clerical work required

Foreign Elements Things that are external to the process that delay the work moving forward Include: Supervisor interruptions, power losses, defective parts, leaving workstation, tool breakage, etc… Occurring during an element, write A, B, C, etc…In the NT block (TP)

Missed Breakpoints Immediately mark an “M” in the W column If operator omits an element, draw a dash (-) through the applicable space in the W column

Number of Cycles to Record Tabulated data (TP) Statistical methods

Ratings Normalize the readings to the “average operator” Can be for the entire element or individual cycles NT=OT x R/100

Allowances Typically about 15% Personal interruptions Fatigue Unavoidable delay Standard Time (ST) = NT (1 + allowance)

Study Calculations Start time, Finish time, Elapsed time, Time elapsed before study (TEBS), Time elapsed after study (TEAS), Total check time, Effective time, Ineffective time, Unaccounted time, Recording error (should not exceed ~ 2%)

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