UNIT-4-OM-(R20)

Productivity
Productivity is the quantitative relation between what we produce and we use as a resource to produce
them, i.e., arithmetic ratio of amount produced (output) to the amount of resources (input). Productivity
can be expressed as:

Productivity = Output/ Input

Productivity refers to the efficiency of the production system. It is the concept that guides the
management of production system. It is an indicator to how well the factors of production (land, capital,
labor and energy) are utilized. European Productivity Agency (EPA) has defined productivity as,

“Productivity is an attitude of mind. It is the mentality of progress, of the constant improvements of that
which exists. It is the certainty of being able to do better today than yesterday and continuously. It is the
constant adaptation of economic and social life to changing conditions. It is the continual effort to apply
new techniques and methods. It is the faith in progress.”

A major problem with productivity is that it means many things to many people. Economists determine
it from Gross National Product (GNP), managers view it as cost cutting and speed up, engineers think of
it in terms of more output per hour. But generally accepted meaning is that it is the relationship between
goods and services produced and the resources employed in their production.

Factors Influencing Productivity

Factors influencing productivity can be classified broadly into two categories: (a) controllable (or)
internal factors and (b) un-controllable (or) external factors.

(a) Controllable (OR) internal factors

1. Product factor: In terms of productivity means the extent to which the product meets output
requirements product is judged by its usefulness.

2. Plant and equipment: These play a prominent role in enhancing the productivity. The increased
availability of the plant through proper maintenance and reduction of idle time increases the
productivity.

3. Technology: Innovative and latest technology improves productivity to a greater extent. Automation
and information technology helps to achieve improvements in material handling, storage,
communication system and quality control. The various aspects of technology factors to be considered
are: (i) Size and capacity of the plant, (ii) Timely supply and quality of inputs, (iii) Production planning

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 and control, (iv) Repairs and maintenance, (v) Waste reduction, and (vi) Efficient material handling
system.

4. Material and energy: Efforts to reduce materials and energy consumption brings about considerable
improvement in productivity. 1. Selection of quality material and right material. 2. Control of wastage
and scrap. 3. Effective stock control. 4. Development of sources of supply. 5. Optimum energy
utilisation and energy savings.

5. Human factors: Productivity is basically dependent upon human competence and skill. Ability to
work effectively is governed by various factors such as education, training, experience aptitude etc., of
the employees. Motivation of employees will influence productivity.

6. Work methods: Improving the ways in which the work is done (methods) improves productivity,
work study and industrial engineering techniques and training are the areas which improve the work
methods, which in term enhances the productivity.

7. Management style: This influence the organizational design, communication in organization, policy
and procedures. A flexible and dynamic management style is a better approach to achieve higher
productivity.

(b) Un-controllable (OR) external factors

1. Structural adjustments: Structural adjustments include both economic and social changes.
Economic changes that influence significantly are:

(a) Shift in employment from agriculture to manufacturing industry,

(b) Import of technology, and

(c) Industrial competitiveness.

Social changes such as women’s participation in the labor force, education, cultural values, and attitudes
are some of the factors that play a significant role in the improvement of productivity.

2. Natural resources: Manpower, land and raw materials are vital to the productivity improvement.

3. Government and infrastructure: Government policies and programmes are significant to

productivity practices of government agencies, transport and communication power, and fiscal policies
(interest rates, taxes) influence productivity to the greater extent.

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LBRCE-MBA-2 sem-O.M-Unit-4- (R20)-Dr.V.V.Narsi Reddy 3
Productivity Improvement Techniques

(A) Technology based:

1. Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM), and Computer
Integrated Manufacturing Systems (CIMS): CAD refers to design of products, processes or
systems with the help of computers.
2. Computer integrated manufacturing: Computer integrated manufacturing is characterized
by automatic line balancing, machine loading (scheduling and sequencing), automatic inventory
control and inspection.
1. Robotics
2. Laser technology
3. Modern maintenance techniques
4. Energy technology
5. Flexible Manufacturing System (FMS)

(B) Employee based:

1. Financial and non-financial incentives at individual and group level.

2. Employee promotion.
3. Job design, job enlargement, job enrichment and job rotation.
(C) Material based
1. Material planning and control
2. Purchasing, logistics
3. Material storage and retrieval
4. Source selection and procurement of quality material
5. Waste elimination.
(D) Process based
1. Methods engineering and work simplification
2. Job design evaluation, job safety
3. Human factors engineering.
(E) Product based
1. Value analysis and value engineering
2. Product diversification
3. Standardization and simplification
4. Reliability engineering
5. Product mix and promotion.
(F) Task based
1. Management style
2. Communication in the organization
3. Work culture
4. Motivation
5. Promotion group activity.

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WORK STUDY
MEANING AND DEFINITION OF WORK STUDY

Work study is also called time and motion study. Work study is simply the study of work. It is the
analysis of work into smaller parts followed by rearrangement of these parts to give the same
effectiveness at lesser cost. It examines both the method and duration of the work involved in a process.

According to British Standard Institute, “Work study is a generic term for those techniques
particularly method study and work measurement, which are used in the examination of human work in
all its contexts and which lead systematically to the investigation of all the factors which effect the
efficiency and economy of the situation being reviewed, in order to effect improvement”.

According to Taylor, this was a great difference in these two terms. Work study has got a
broader concept while time and motion study was mainly used for determining time standards and
motion economy.

Thus, work study is a technique used to increase the amount produced from a given quantity of
resources without further capital investment.

NATURE / CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK STUDY

1) Effective Tools: Work study is a part of industrial engineering which act as an effective tools of
investigations in an organization.
2) It is systematic: As it is systematic, it covers every factor affecting the efficiency of operations.
No factor is overlook.
3) Performed Accurately: It is perform as an accurate means of setting standard of performance.
4) Systematic Investigation: It is a systematic investigation of human work in order to find efficient
methods of carrying it out.

OBJECTIVES / AIMS OF WORK STUDY

1) To recommend and implement the desired improvement in work methods by establishing the
most economical way of doing the work.
2) Investigation and analysis of existing situation
3) Examination of weakness if any in the production process
4) Most effective use of the existing or proposed plant
5) Efficient use of human efforts
6) Ensure proper performance of those employed in the production process.

BENEFITS / ADVANTAGES OF WORK STUDY

The following are the implications of work study:

1) It helps in increasing the productivity

2) The production flow is improved and uniform

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 3) The cost of manufacturing is reduced
4) Provide good service to its customers
5) Raising the productivity of the operation unit or manufacturing process by reorganizing work
with little or no capital investment.

TECHNIQUES / METHODS OF WORK STUDY

Work study has two closely related work study methods as shown

Methods Study

To simplify Job and develop

more Economical Method of
doing Work
Higher Productivity

Work Measurement

(Time Study) To Determine

the Standard Time for doing
an Operation

Higher Productivity

METHOD STUDY
MEANING AND DEFINITION OF METHOD STUDY

Method study is also known as work method analysis. Method study is a technique of systematically
recording, observing and critically analyzing the existing ways of doing work of task with the objective
of enhancing the existing method and developing new and cost effective method which reduces the
costs.

According the British Standard Institute, :Method study may be understood as the 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 reducing costs.

Thus, method study is a systematic recording and critical examination of existing and proposed
way of doing work.

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OBJECTIVES / AIM OF METHOD STUDY

The objectives of method study are:

1. To Design: To design better for plant, buildings and equipment.

2. To improve : To improve layout of the work place i.e., factories and offices
3. To Handle : To handle the material effectively
4. To Make : To make the working conditions and environment better by suggesting suitable
changes
5. To Provide : To provide job satisfaction effectively

APPLICATIONS OF METHOD STUDY

The main applications of method study are:

1. Improve layout of office, job floor or factory

2. Improve design of plant and machinery
3. Improve use of material, plant, equipment and human resources
4. Make smooth flow of work
5. Make an effective handling of materials
6. Make standardized methods and procedures effective.

BASIC PROCEDURE INVOLVED IN METHOD STUDY

1) Select: The criteria for selection of a job for method study are:

I. Economic Consideration: This study should yield monetary benefits. The jobs thus, selected
may be the bottlenecks in a production process, those jobs in which there is a repetition of
work.
II.Technical Consideration: It requires adequate technical knowledge to study the job and suggest
changes in method of doing the job.
III.Human Reactions: This is an important consideration, as human reaction to the study may
result in worker unrest.

2) Record: Recording of selected data by using appropriate recording technique

The purpose of recording is to:

i) Identify and record every minute detail of the process or operation or activity
ii) Bring in uniformity of presentation of description of doing an activity
iii) Bring out the sequence and inter-relationship of various activities or operations.
iv) Bring out the repetitive operations
v) Make its useful for future reference

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Recording Techniques: Recording can be done with the help of following aids:

i) Process Charts
 Outline process chart
 Flow process chart-man type
 Material type and machine type
 Two handed process chart

And there are other types of charts, which use the time scale they are:

 Multiple activity chart

 SIMO chart
ii) Diagrams : Diagrams are used to have a better edge than charts as they indicates movements and
they are used to supplement or assist charts for effective study of the activities. The types of
diagrams are :
 Flow diagrams
 String diagram
 Cycle graph
 Chronocycle graph
 Travel chart

3. Examine: The critical examination of recorded activities is done by asking some primary questions
like, what is the purpose? Where is the place? What is the sequence? Who is the person? How is it
done? And secondary questions include what else? And what should be the new method?

When we obtain the answers for the above questions then they can be usedfor eliminating, combining,
rearranging or simplifying one or more or group of activities.

4. Develop: The new method is developed after critical examination of the recorded data. The
developed method should be :
 Practical and feasible
 Safe and effective
 Economical
 Acceptable to other functions
5. Define : Defining includes
 Preparation of written document, standard practices and operating instructions
 Record the improved method for future reference
 Bring out the changes in layout
 List out the tools and equipment to be used in the new method
 Train the concerned personnel on the new improved method
6. Install: When we define the new improved method, the next step is installation of the method. It
could be done by :
 Gaining acceptance of the change by departmental supervisor, management approval
acceptance by workers involved
 Retrain the workers to operate new methods

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 Installation involves three steps:

i) Planning, ii) Arranging , iii) Implementing

7. Maintain: It is very essential to maintain the installed method i.e., to ensure the proper functioning
of the installed by periodic checks and verifications. The purpose of checks and verifications is
to find any deviations from the standard one

RECORDING TECHNIQUES

Recording may be done with the help of one or more of the following techniques:

Recording Techniques for Method Study

tT

Process Charts Diagrams

I. Process Charts Diagrams

II. Outline Process Chart Flow Diagrams
III. Operation Process Chart 1.Strings Diagrams
IV. Process Flow Chart 2.Cycle Graph
V. Two Handed Chart 3.Chrono Cycle Graph
VI. Multiple Activity Chart
VII. SIMO Chart
VIII. Man-Machine Chart-Worker Machine Chart

I. Process Chart: These charts help in providing a complete picture of the process. A chart which
shows or describes a process is called as a process chart. Process charts consists of the
following charts :

II. Outline Process Chart: An Outline process chart, examines and records the complete picture
of the process and outlines only the important events sequentially. The main operations and
inspections are considered in this chart.

III. Operation Process Chart: This chart graphically represents the points at which the materials
are introduced in the process, the order of inspections and all operations (excluding the
operations involved in materials handling). It includes the relevant information for estimation
such as, the time needed for performing the operation and the location or place.

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 IV. Flow Process Charts: These charts, graphically represent the order in which all the operations,
transportation, delays and storages takes place during the course of process. It includes the
information used for assessment such as the time needed and distance covered.

V. Two-Handed Process Chart: The hands or limbs activities of workers or operations are
recorded chronologically in the two-handed process chart.

VI. Multiple Activity Chart: The multiple activity chart, records the activities of more than one
subject, i.e., worker, equipment or machine a common time scale, for outlining their inter-
relationship.

VII. SIMO Chart: This chart is a type of two handed process chart, which records the small
motions of both the hands.

VIII. Man Machine Chart/Workers-Machine Chart :

The construction and interpretation of process charts are simplified by the use of two or more the
following symbols which cover most of the activities in the manufacturing field.

Symbol Activity Purpose

Operation Indicates the main steps in a process, method of procedure.
Usually the part, material or product concerned is modified
or changed during the operation
Inspection Indicates any type of inspection check, measurement,
visual scrutiny for equality and or quantity
Transport Indicates movement of workers, material or equipment
from place-to-place
Temporary Indicates a delay in the sequence of events
D Storage or delay
Storage Indicates controlled storage in which materials are received
into or issued from stores under some form of authorized
or an item is retained for reference purposes.

2) Diagrams: Diagrams clearly outlines the movement of men and materials between two locations and
the number of times a movement is repeated.

In a repair shop or overhauling shop or other departments, movements of men and materials occurs
from one place to another place. The process charts represents the order of events, but does not shows
the movements of material, men etc. Reducing these movement helps in saving the cost and efforts
needed for performing a job

The movement of men and materials between two locations and the number of times the movement
is repeated can be illustrated, with the help of diagram. There are different types of diagrams:

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 i) Flow Diagram: The flow diagram is a diagram, illustrating the position of jigs, fixtures,
production machinery etc., ‘the movement followed by the workers and materials are also
marked in the flow diagram. The flow diagram is suitable for simple cases.
ii) Strings Diagram: A string diagram, is a model wherein, each machine is marked and a pin or
peg is placed in the area which represents a facility. A string helps in identifying the
movement followed while performing a particular operation followed by men and materials.
iii) Cycle Graph: As an aid for micro motion study, Gilbreth have developed these graphic
techniques for the study of the motion path of an operator’s hand or finger.

A small electric bulb is attached to the finger, hand or other part of the body of the operator
and it is photographed to record the path of the motion with a still camera, the path of light so
photographed, is called a cycle graph.

iv) Chrono Cycle Graph: If an interrupter is placed in the electric circuit with the bulb and the
light is flashed quickly and off slowly, then the path of bulb in the photograph will appear as
a dotted line with pear shaped dots indicates the direction of motions.

The space between the dots will be according to the speed of the hand or finger of the body.
Size and shape of the peer shaped dot will show whether body parts in acceleration or
retardation. The number of dots gives the time taken by that. Such a record is called a chrono
cycle graph.

WORK MEASUREMENT
MEANING AND DEFINITION OF WORK MEASUREMENT

Work measurement is the process of identifying time standards for a job, i.e., determining how much
time an average worker takes to complete a job under standard work conditions.

According to British Standard Institution, “The application to techniques designed to establish the time
for a quality workers to carry out a specific job at a defined level of performance.”

Thus, work measurement has been defined as the application of techniques design to determine the time
required by or defined level of performance to do a specific job. The time is called standard or allowed
time.

AIM / PURPOSE / OBJECTIVES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

The aim of work measurement is to assess human effectiveness in order to achieve the following
objective
1. Improved layout of machines and processes
2. Improved planning and control
3. Reliable performance measurement
4. There should be a reliable labour cost control
5. Standard cost and budget procedures should be followed
6. Accurate estimating should be done.

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BASIC PROCEDURE INVOLVED IN WORK MEASUREMENT

The following steps are necessary for carrying out the work measurement systematically

Select Step 1

Record Step 2

Examine Step 3

Measure Step 4

Complete Step 5

Define Step 6

1. Select : Select the work which is to be studied and determine the objective of the study
2. Record: Record all the relevant data relating to circumstances in which the work is being done,
the methods to be used. Break down the job into its elements.
3. Examine: Examine the recorded data and the detailed breakdown critically to ensure that most
effective method and motions are being used and that unproductive elements are separated from
productive elements.
4. Measure: Measure the time required to complete each element using the appropriate work
Measurement techniques and calculate the time required to complete the work cycle which is known
as basic time
5. Complete: Complete the standard time for the operations are work cycle. In case of stop watch
time study the various allowances to cover relaxation, personal needs etc, are added to the basic time
to estimate the standard time
6. Define: Define precisely the series of activities and method of operation for which the time has
been compiled and issue the time standards for the activities and method specified.

BENEFITS / ADVANTAGES OF WORK MEASUREMENT

The implications of work measurement are
Comparing the Alternative Method

Estimation of Cost
Implications of
Compares Actual Time
Work Measurement

Accurate Assessment

Provides Information

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 1) Comparing the Alternative Methods : It helps in comparing the alternative methods of method
study, by creating the work content in each method of completing job
2) Estimation of Cost : It helps in estimating the labour cost
3) Compares Actual Time : It compares the actual time taken by the worker, with that of the
standard time
4) Accurate Assessment : It accurate assessment of human work, helps in preparing the realistic
work schedules
5) Provides Information: It helps in providing information like, tenders, estimation, selling and
determination of the delivery schedule.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN METHOD STUDY AND WORK MEASUREMENT

S.No. Method Study Work Measurement

1) Method study is a systematic recording and
critical examination of existing and proposed way
of doing work, as a mean of developing and
applying easier and more effective methods and
reducing cost
2) Method study can reveal shortcomings of design
materials and method of manufacture and as such
affects mainly technique people
Work measurement is the
application of techniques designed
to establish time for a qualified
worker to carry out a specified job
at a defined level of performance
Work measurement is more likely
to show up the management itself
and the behavior of the worker.

TECHNIQUES / METHODS OF WORK MEASUREMENT

S.NO Techniques Application of technique

1) Time study/stop watch study Applicable to repetitive
2) Synthetic data (or) synthesis for elements time Applicable to repetitive and non-
repetitive work
3) Pre-determined Motion Time System Applicable to repetitive and non-
repetitive work
4) Analytical estimating Applicable to non-repetitive work

5) Work sampling/activity sampling Applicable to repetitive work

Work measurement
Work measurement is also called by the name ‘time study’. Work measurement is absolutely essential for
both the planning and control of operations. Without measurement data, we cannot determine the capacity
of facilities or it is not possible to quote delivery dates or costs. We are not in a position to determine
the rate of production and also labour utilisation and efficiency. It may not be possible to introduce
incentive schemes and standard costs for budget control.

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Objectives of Work measurement
The use of work measurement as a basis for incentives is only a small part of its total application. The
objectives of work measurement are to provide a sound basis for:
1. Comparing alternative methods.
2. Assessing the correct initial manning (manpower requirement planning).
3. Planning and control.
4. Realistic costing.
5. Financial incentive schemes.
6. Delivery date of goods.
7. Cost reduction and cost control.
8. Identifying substandard workers.
9. Training new employees.

Techniques of Work Measurement

For the purpose of work measurement, work can be regarded as:
1. Repetitive work: The type of work in which the main operation or group of operations repeat
continuously during the time spent at the job. These apply to work cycles of extremely short duration.
2. Non-repetitive work: It includes some type of maintenance and construction work, where the
work cycle itself is hardly ever repeated identically.
Various techniques of work measurement are:
1. Time study (stop watch technique),
2. Synthesis,
3. Work sampling,
4. Predetermined motion and time study,
5. Analytical estimating.

Time study and work sampling involve direct observation and the remaining are data based and
analytical in nature.
1. Time study: A work measurement technique for recording the times and rates of working for the
elements of a specified job carried out under specified conditions and for analysing the data so as to
determine the time necessary for carrying out the job at the defined level of performance. In other words
measuring the time through stop watch is called time study.
2. Synthetic data: A work measurement technique for building up the time for a job or pans of the job
at a defined level of performance by totalling element times obtained previously from time studies on other
jobs containing the elements concerned or from synthetic data.
3. Work sampling: A technique in which a large number of observations are made over a period of
time of one or group of machines, processes or workers. Each observation records what is happening at that
instant and the percentage of observations recorded for a particular activity, or delay, is a measure of the
percentage of time during which that activities delay occurs.
4. Predetermined motion time study (PMTS): A work measurement technique whereby times
established for basic human motions (classified according to the nature of the motion and conditions under
which it is made) are used to build up the time for a job at the defined level of performance. The most
commonly used PMTS is known as Methods Time Measurement (MTM).
5. Analytical estimating: A work measurement technique, being a development of estimating, whereby
the time required to carry out elements of a job at a defined level of performance is estimated partly from
knowledge and practical experience of the elements concerned and partly from synthetic data.

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 The work measurement techniques and their applications are shown

Work measurement techniques and their application

Techniques Applications Unit of measurement

1. Time study
2. Synthetic Data
3. Working sampling
4. MTM
5. Analytical estimation
Short cycle repetitive jobs. Centiminute (0.01 min)
Widely used for direct work.
Short cycle repetitive jobs. Centi minutes
Long cycle jobs/heterogeneous Minutes
operations.
Manual operations confined to TMU (1 TMU = 0.006 min)
one work centre.
Short cycle non-repetitive job. Minutes

TIME STUDY

Time study is also called work measurement. It is essential for both planning and control of operations.
According to British Standard Institute time study has been defined as “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.”

Steps in Making Time Study

Stop watch time is the basic technique for determining accurate time standards. They are economical for
repetitive type of work. Steps in taking the time study are:
1. Select the work to be studied.
2. Obtain and record all the information available about the job, the operator and the working
conditions likely to affect the time study work.
3. Breakdown the operation into elements. An element is a instinct part of a specified activity
composed of one or more fundamental motions selected for convenience of observation and timing.
4. Measure the time by means of a stop watch taken by the operator to perform each element of
the operation. Either continuous method or snap back method of timing could be used.
5. At the same time, assess the operators effective speed of work relative to the observer’s concept of
‘normal’ speed. This is called performance rating.
6. Adjust the observed time by rating factor to obtain normal time for each element
Observed time Rating
Normal
100

7. Add the suitable allowances to compensate for fatigue, personal needs, contingencies. etc. to
give standard time for each element.
8. Compute allowed time for the entire job by adding elemental standard times considering frequency
of occurrence of each element.
9. Make a detailed job description describing the method for which the standard time is
established.
10. Test and review standards wherever necessary. The basic steps in time study are represented by a
block diagram

Computation of Standard Time

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 Standard time is the time allowed to an operator to carry out the specified task under specified conditions
and defined level of performance. The various allowances are added to the normal time as applicable to
get the standard time as shown
Standard time may be defined as the, amount of time required to complete a unit of work:
(a) under existing working conditions, (b) using the specified method and machinery, (c) by an operator,
able to the work in a proper manner, and (d) at a standard pace.
Thus basic constituents of standard time are:
1. Elemental (observed time).
2. Performance rating to compensate for difference in pace of working.
3. Relaxation allowance.
4. Interference and contingency allowance.
5. Policy allowance.

Steps in time study

Components standard time

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 OT – Observed Time
PRF – Performance Rating Factor
NT – Normal Time
PA – Process Allowances
RPA – Rest and Personal Allowances
SA – Special Allowances
PoA – Policy Allowances

Allowances

The normal time for an operation does not contain any allowances for the worker. It is impossible to work
throughout the day even though the most practicable, effective method has been developed. Even under the
best working method situation, the job will still demand the expenditure of human effort and some allowance
must therefore be made for recovery from fatigue and for relaxation. Allowances must also be made to
enable the worker to attend to his personal needs. The allowances are categorised as: (1) Relaxation
allowance, (2) Interference allowance, and (3) Contingency allowance.
1. RELAXATION ALLOWANCE
Relaxation allowances are calculated so as to allow the worker to recover from fatigue. Relaxation allowance
is a 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. The amount of allowance will depend on nature of the job.
Relaxation allowances are of two types: fixed allowances and variable allowances.
Fixed allowances constitute:

(a) Personal needs allowance: It is intended to compensate the operator for the time necessary to
leave, the workplace to attend to personal needs like drinking water, smoking, washing hands.
Women require longer personal allowance than men. A fair personal allowance is 5% for men,
and 7% for women.
(b) Allowances for basic fatigue: This allowance is given to compensate for energy expended during
working. A common figure considered as allowance is 4% of the basic time.
2. VARIABLE ALLOWANCE
Variable allowance is allowed to an operator who is working under poor environmental conditions that
cannot be improved, added stress and strain in performing the job.
The variable fatigue allowance is added to the fixed allowance to an operator who is engaged on
medium and heavy work and working under abnormal conditions. The amount of variable fatigue
allowance varies from organization to organization.
3. INTERFERENCE ALLOWANCE
It is an allowance of time included into the work content of the job to compensate the operator for the
unavoidable loss of production due to simultaneous stoppage of two or more machines being operated by
him. This allowance is applicable for machine or process controlled jobs.
Interference allowance varies in proportion to number of machines assigned to the operator.
The interference of the machine increases the work content.
4. CONTINGENCY ALLOWANCE
A contingency allowance is a small allowance of time which may be included in a standard time to meet

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 legitimate and expected items of work or delays. The precise measurement of which is uneconomical
because of their infrequent or irregular occurrence.
This allowance provides for small unavoidable delays as well as for occasional minor extra work:
Some of the examples calling for contingency allowance are:
● Tool breakage involving removal of tool from the holder and all other activities to insert new tool

into the tool holder.

● Power failures of small duration.

● Obtaining the necessary tools and gauges from central tool store. Contingency allowance should

not exceed 5%.

5. POLICY ALLOWANCE
Policy allowances are not the genuine part of the time study and should be used with utmost care and only
in clearly defined circumstances.
The usual reason for making the policy allowance is to line up standard times with requirements of wage
agreement between employers and trade unions.
The policy allowance is an increment, other than bonus increment, applied to a standard time (or to
some constituent part of it, e.g., work content) to provide a satisfactory level of earnings for a specified
level of performance under exceptional circumstances. Policy allowances are sometimes made as imperfect
functioning of a division or part of a plant.

ILLUSTRATION 1: Assuming that the total observed time for an operation of assembling an
electric switch is 1.00 min. If the rating is 120%, find normal time. If an allowance of 10% is allowed for
the operation, determine the standard time.

SOLUTION:
Obsessed time (or) selected time = 1.00 min Rating
= 120%
Allowance = 10%
Rating %
As we know that, normal time = Observed time ×
100
120
= 1.00 ×
100 = 1.20 min
10
Allowance @ 10% = 1.20 ×
100 = 0.12 min

Standard time = Normal time + Allowances

= 1.20 + 0.12 = 1.32 min.

LBRCE-MBA-2 sem-O.M-Unit-4- (R20)-Dr.V.V.Narsi Reddy 18

 ILLUSTRATION 2: An operator manufactures 50 jobs in 6 hours and 30 minutes. If this time
includes the time for setting his machine. Calculate the operator’s efficiency. Standard time allowed for
the job was:

Setting time = 35 min Production

time per piece = 8 min

SOLUTION:
As standard time = Set up time + Time per piece × No. of pieces produced
Standard time for manufacturing 50 jobs
= 35 + 8 × 50
= 435 min
= 7 hours and 15 min.
Standard time × 100
Efficiency of operator =
Actual time
= 435 × 100 = 111.5%.
390
ILLUSTRATION 3: Following datas were obtained by a work study. Man from a

study conducted by hours.

(i) Maintenance time

(a) Get out and put away tools = 12.0 min/day
(b) Cleaning of machine = 5.0 min/day
(c) Oiling of machine = 5.0 min/day
(d) Replenish coolant supply = 3.0 min/day
(ii) Interruption
(a) Interruption by foreman = 5.0 min/day
(b) Interruption by porter etc. = 4.0 min/day
(iii) Delay time due to power failure etc. = 6.0 min/day
(iv) Personal time = 20.0 min/day
Calculate total allowances, total available cycle time productive hours, considering a working day of
8 hours.

SOLUTION:
Total allowance (sometimes also known as station time)
= Total maintenance time + Interruption time
+ Delay time + Personal time
= (12.0 + 5 + 5 + 3.0) + (5.0 + 4.0) + 6.0 + 20.0
= 25.0 + 9.0 + 6.0 + 20.0
= 60.0 min per day
Total available cycle time = Total work period – Total allowances
= 480 – 60 = 420 min/day
Time available
Productive hours =
Number of hours

LBRCE-MBA-2 sem-O.M-Unit-4- (R20)-Dr.V.V.Narsi Reddy 19

 420
=
8
= 52.5 min.

ILLUSTRATION 4: Find out the standard time using the following data: Average
time for machine elements = 6 min

Average time for manual elements =4min

Performance rating = 110%

Allowances = 10%

SOLUTION:
Normal time = Machinery time + Manual time × Rating
= 6 + 4 × 1.1
= 6 + 4.4 = 10.4 min

Standard time = Normal time + Allowances

10
= 10.4 + 10.4 ×
100
= 10.4 (1 + 0.1) = 11.44 min.

WORK STUDY PROBLEMS

1) Calculate the earnings of three workers AMAR, AKBAR and ALI. From the following
Particulars by using I) Time rate system. II) straight piece rate system III) Taylor differential
piece rate system IV) Merrick differential piece rate system
Standard time for piece is 20 min
Normal rate per hour (in an 8 hour a day) is Rs.9-00/-
AMAR produced 23 units,
AKBAR produced 24 units,
ALI produced 30 units.

2) Calculate the earnings of three workers A, B and C. From the following Particulars by using I)
Time rate system. II) straight piece rate system III) Taylor differential piece rate system IV)
Merrick differential piece rate system
Standard time for unit is 1 min
Normal rate per hour (in an 8 hour a day) is Rs.5-40/-
Production of worker A =390 units
Production of worker B=450 units
Production of worker C =600 units.