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Technical Note 4

Learning Curves

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OBJECTIVES
 Underlying Principles of Learning
Curves
 Learning Curve Example
 Types of Learning
 From Learning Curves to

Performance Improvement

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Underlying Principles of Learning

Curves
1. Each time you perform a task it
takes less time than the last time
you performed the same task
2. The extent of task time decreases
over time
3. The reduction in time will follow a
predictable pattern

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Example of a Learning Curve

Suppose
Supposeyouyoustart
startaa Term Time (in
term
termpaper
papertyping
typing paper Minutes)
business.
business. You
Youtime
time
yourself 100
yourselfon
onthe
thefirst
first
paper, 1
paper,then
thenthe
thesecond,
second, 90
and
andso
soon.
on. 2
84.62
Note
Notethat
thatonly
only9090ofof 3
81.00
100
100minutes
minutesareareused
used 4
in
inthe
thesecond
second 78.30
repetition.
repetition. This
Thisis
is an
an 5
76.16
example
exampleof of aa90%
90% 6
learning
learningcurve.
curve.
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Plotting the All

All learning
learning curves
curves have
have this
this
Learning downward
downward sloping
sloping curve.
curve.
Curve
90 % Learning Curve

120
100
Time(Minutes)
Production

80
60
40
20
0
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000
Unit

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Types of Learning

 Individual Learning
Improvement when individuals gain a
skill or efficiency by repetition of a job

 Organizational Learning
Improvement from the groups of
individuals from repetition and changes
in administration, equipment, and
product design

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From Learning Curves to Performance

Improvement (Part 1)

 Proper selection of workers

 Proper training
 Motivation
 Work specialization
 Do one or very few jobs at a time

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From Learning Curves to

Performance Improvement (Part 2)

 Use tools or equipment that

assists or supports performance
 Provide quick and easy access for
help
 Allow workers to help redesign
their tasks
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End of Technical
Note 4

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