FRANK AND LILLIAN GILBRETH: TIME AND MOTION
STUDY
- are respected for their unique contributions to the
advancement of motion study, fatigue study and work
simplification.
- stressed one way to get the job done.
- they believe there is one best way to get any job done
and that process should be replicated through the
manufacturing process, eliminating extraneous steps
and producing the most efficient results.
- FRANK stated the methods “FUNDAMENTAL AIM IS
THE ELIMINATION OF WASTE, THE ATTAINMENT OF
WORTHWHILE DESIRED RESULTS WITH THE LEAST
NECESSARY AMOUNT OF TIME AND EFFORT.”
TIME AND MOTION STUDY
- is the scientific study of the conservation of human
resources in the search for the most efficient method of
doing a task.
- helps management determine how much is produced
by workers in a specific period of time.
- is a scientific method designed by two different people
for the same purpose, to increase productivity and
reduce unit cost.
- these two methods evaluate work and try to find ways
to improve processes.
PURPOSE: EMPLOYEE PRODUCTIVITY
1. A complex task is broken into small, simple steps
2. The sequence of movements taken by the employee
in performing those steps is carefully observed to detect
and eliminate redundant or wasteful motion.
3. Precise time taken for each correct movement is
measured.
MOTION STUDY
– is designed to determine the best way to complete a
repetitive job.
- improved methods
- it measures distance, or how much you move to do a
job, and how much you get done in a period of time.
TIME STUDY
– is measures how long it takes for an average worker to
complete a task at a normal pace.
- establish standards
- looked at the average time it took an average worker
MANAGEMENT THEORY
1. Reduce the number of motions in a task.
Therbligs – they are used in the study of motion
economy in the workplace.
18 Kinds of Elemental Motions
1. Transport empty unloaded (Reach) – receiving an
object with an empty hand.
2. Grasp (G) – grasping an object with the active hand.
3. Transport loaded (TL) – moving an object using a
hand motion.
4. Hold (H) – holding an object.
5. Release load (RL) – releasing control of n object.
6. Preposition (PP) – positioning and/or orienting an
object for the next operation and relative to an
approximation location.
7. Position (P) – positioning and/or orienting an object
for the next operation and relative to an approximation
location.
8. Assemble (A) – joining two parts together.
9. Disassemble (DA) – separating multiple components
that were joined.
10. Use (U) – manipulating a tool in the intended way
during the course working.
11. Search (Sh) – attempting to find an object using the
eyes and hands.
12. Select (St) – choosing among several objects in a
group.
13. Plan (Pn) – deciding on a course of action.
14. Inspect (I) – determining the quality or the
characteristics of an object using the eyes and/or other
senses.
15. Unavoidable delay (UD) – waiting due to factors
beyond the worker’s control and included in the work
cycle.
16. Avoidable delay (AD) – waiting within the worker’s
control which causes idleness that is not included in the
regular work cycle.
17. Rest (R) – resting to overcome a fatigue, consisting
of pause in the motions of the hands and/or body
during the work cycles or between them.
18. Find (F) – a momentary mental reaction at the end
of the Search cycle. Seldom used.
2. Focus on the incremental study of motions and time.
3. Increase efficiency to increase profit and worker
satisfaction.
FRANK GILBRETH (1868-1924) – an engineer, pioneered
scientific methods in bricklaying. Member of Taylor
Society (SAM).
LILLIAN GILBRETH (1978-1972) – engineer/ industrial
psychologist (PhD); stress and fatigue.
CONTRIBUTION:
- Time and Motion studies
- Breaking up each job action into its components
(Therblig).
- Finding better ways to perform the action.
- Reorganizing each job action to be more efficient.
- Focus on promoting individual worker’s welfare.
- Emphasis on enabling workers to reach they full
potential.
- Emphasis on employee motivation and physical will-
being of workers.

MOTION STUDY PRINCIPLES

- Principles for use of the body

- Principles of arrangement of the workplace
- Principles for the design of tools and equipment

SIMO stand for (Simultaneous-Motion Cycle chart)

– it is one of micro motion study devised by Gilbreth and
it presents graphically the separable steps of each
pertinent limb of the operator under study.
- it is beneficial since it allows very accurate and detailed
analysis.