Meaning:-

 Work study or work analysis is the

discipline of industrial engineering that uses
various techniques to quantitatively measure
or estimate work to increase the amount
produced from a given quantity of resources
by improving the use of existing resources.
Definition :-
 Work study is defined as that body of knowledge
concerned with the analysis of the work methods
and the equipment used in performing a job, the
design of an optimum work method and the
standardization of proposed work methods.
 Work study is also understood as a systematic
objective and critical examination of the factors
affecting productivity for the purpose of
improvement. It make use of techniques of
method study and work measurement to
ensure the best possible use of human and
material resources in carrying out specific
activity.
 To simplify the job
Method Study
Develop better
methods

WORK
ANALYSI
S

Work Measurement Quantitatively

measure work

Enhance
Productivity
DEFINITIONS:-
• Method study:- 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 methods and reducing costs.
• Work measurement:-the application of
techniques ,deigned to establish the time for
a qualified worker, to carry out a specified
job at a defined level of performance.
Objectives of Work Study
• To analyze the present method of doing a job ,
systematically in order to develop a new and
better method
• To measure the work content of a job by
measuring the time required to do the job for a
qualified worker and hence to establish
standard time.
• To increase the productivity by ensuring the
best possible use of human, machine and
material resources and to achieve best quality
product/service at minimum possible cost.
• To improve operational efficiency.
 Relationship of Time and Motion Study to Work study
WORK Objective:-Improve
Objective:- DESIGN control by more
Improve operations accurate planning,
by more effective manning estimating
utilization of all and evaluating
resources performance.
Method
Work
study/Operation
Measurement
Analysis (Used to evaluate alternate
design/methods)

Developed by Gilberts Developed by Taylor

Time Study
Motion Study (Used to find the fastest motion
sequence)
Basic work study Procedure
 Select the job or the process or the operation to be
studied

 Record all relevant facts about the job or process or

operation using suitable charting techniques such as
operation process charts, flow process charts etc..

 Examine critically all the recorded facts ,questioning

the purpose place,sequence,person and the means of
doing the job/process/operation.
Basic work study Procedure
• Develop the new method for the
job/process/operation

• Measure the work content and establish the standard

time using an appropriate work measurement
technique

• Define the new method for the job/process/operation

• Install the new method as standard practice.

• Maintain the new method for the

job/process/operation
Benefits of Work Study
 Increased productivity and operational
efficiency.
 Reduced material cost.
 Improved work place layout.
 Better manpower planning and capacity
planning.
 Fair wages to employees.
 Better working conditions to employees.
 Improved workflow.
 Method Study Work Study Work
Measurement
Select the work to be studied Select the work to be Measured

Record the present method to limit of detail Record where necessary effective and in
economically justified using effective time under existing working
condition.
Examine in order to eliminate
ineffective time.
Operation Flow Process Motion Film Analysis
process chart Charts Charts charts Define method to be used

Breakdown job into elements

Examine the facts critically considering in turn purpose
place ,sequence ,person and means.
Measure quantity of work involved in
the method by
Develop best method under prevailing
circumstances Analytical
Time study Synthesis estimating

Define new methods Estimate normal time and add relevant

allowances to determine standard time
or work unit value
Install and maintain the new method to Higher
achieve Productivity To achieve
Method study
 Work methods analysis or methods study is
a scientific technique of observing,
recording and critically examining the
present method of performing a task or job
operation with the aim of improving the
present method and developing a new and
cheaper method.
Objectives of methods study
 To study the existing / proposed method of doing any job
or activity.
 To develop an improved method to improve productivity
and to reduce operating cost.
 To reduce excessive material handling movement and
thereby reduce fatigue of workmen.
 To improve utilization of workers.
 To eliminate wasteful and inefficient motions.
 To standardize work methods or processess,working
conditions,machinery,equipment and tools.
Advantages of Method study
 Work simplification
 Improved working methods
 Better product quality
 Improved workplace layout
 Improved equipment design
 Better working conditions
 Better material handling and lesser material handling cost
 Improved work flow
 Less fatigue to operator
 Optimum utilization of all resources
 Higher safety to work men
 Shorter production cycle time
 Higher job satisfaction of workmen
 Reduce material consumption and wastage
 Reduced manufacturing cost and higher productivity .
Factors facilitating Methods
Study
 High operating cost
 High wastage and scarp
 Excessive movement of material and
workmen
 Excessive production bottlenecks
 Complaints about quality
 Complaints about poor working conditions
 Increasing number of accidents
 Excessive use of overtime
Method Study Procedure
1. Select the work or job to be studied and define
objectives to be achieved by method study.
2. Record all relevant facts or information pertaining to
the existing method using the recording techniques
such as
Process Charts: Outline process chart
Operation process chart
Flow process chart
Man-Machine chart
Multiple activity chart
Simultaneous motion chart
Motion chart
Film analysis chart
Process Charts
 The different kinds of process chart share a
common core set of symbols, though some
have additional symbols for specific and
specialized process steps.
 The common symbols (of which there are
only five) were first promulgated by the
American Society of Mechanical Engineers
and have become known as the ASME
symbols.
OPERATION: a main step, where the part, material
or product is usually modified or changed

INSPECTION: indicates a check for quality or

quantity

TRANSPORT: the movement of workers, materials

or equipment

STORAGE: controlled storage in which material is

received into or issued from a store, or an item is
retained for reference purposes

DELAY or TEMPORARY STORAGE: indicates a

delay in the process, or an object laid aside until
required.

Combined activity
Operation Process Chart
 A graphic representation that gives an overall
view of an entire process, including the points
at which materials are introduced, the
sequence of inspections, and all operations
not involved in material handling.
Flow Process Chart
 The Flow Process Chart records the steps in
a process along a vertical line, with the
action type being shown by a symbol
alongside a description of the action, as in
the illustration
Man-Machine chart
 Man-machine chart is a chart relation of how much
time the machine spend while the man or the operator
spending his time on his job.
 The man-machine chart, or simochart, is a planning
industrial graphically defining resources' activity
(robots, operators, ...) at repetitive tasks. It is typically
used to plan the activity of resources in large and
medium series.
 Each resource continually performs the same tasks.
When the last task is completed, the resource runs again
the first task. This estate is called cycle.
 A diagram is constituted of tangled cycles. The duration
of the longest cycle is called time of cycle. It is usually
the time needed to produce or assemble a piece.
Multiple activity charts
 Multiple activity charts are used to show the
interrelationships of individuals in teams of
workers, or the relationships between
workers and equipment, usually during the
record stage of method study.
 The activities of each subject (whether
worker or equipment) are recorded,
normally as blocks in columnar form,
against a common time scale.
Diagrams such as
Flow diagram
String diagram
Cycle graph
chronocyclegraph
 Examine the recorded facts critically by asking
questions like
What is done?
What is the purpose of the operation?
Why should it be done?
Who does the work?
Why is it done there?
When is the work done?
Flow diagram
 A flow diagram is a graphical means of
presenting, describing, or analyzing a
process. This is done by drawing small
boxes which represent steps or decisions in a
chain of steps or decisions.
Flow diagram
String Diagram
 The String Diagram is a simple tool for
analyzing and designing work spaces such
that movement can be minimized. The basic
diagram simply consists of a map of the
work area, with the actual movements drawn
on top.
Method Study Procedure
3.Examine the above facts critically:-Critical
examination is done by questioning technique. This
step comes after the method is recorded by suitable
charts and diagrams.
The individual activity is examined by putting a number
of questions. The following factors are questioned
 Purpose – To eliminate the activity, if possible.
 Place – To combine or re-arrange the activities.
 Sequence – -do-
 Person – -do-
 Means – To simplify the activity.
The following sequence of
questions is used:
 Purpose – What is actually done?
Why is it done?
What else could be done?
What should be done?
 Place – Where is it being done?
Why is it done there?
Where else could it be done?
Where should it be done?
 Sequence – When is it done?
Why is it done then?
When could it be done?
When should it be done?
 Person – Who is doing it?
Why does that person do it?
Who else could do it?
Who should do it?
 Means – How is it done?
Why is it done that way?
How else could it be done?
How should it be done?
By doing this questioning
 Unwanted activities can be eliminated
 Number of activities can be combined or re-
arranged
 Method can be simplified.

All these will reduce production time.

Method Study Procedure
4.Develop the improved method by generating several
alternatives and selecting the best method.
The answer to the questions given below will
result in the development of a better method.
 Purpose – What should be done?
 Place – Where should it be done?
 Sequence – When should it be
done?
 Person – Who should do it?
 Means – How should it be done?
The factors to be considered
while evaluating alternatives and
selecting the best method are:
1. Cost of implementation
2. Expected savings in time and cost
3. Feasibility
4. Producibility
5. Acceptance to design, production planning and control,
quality control, production and sales departments
6. Reaction of the employees to new method
7. Short term or long term implication of alternatives
Method Study Procedure
5. Define
Once a complete study of a job has been
made and a new method is developed, it is
necessary to obtain the approval of the
management before installing it. The work
study man should prepare a report giving
details of the existing and proposed
methods. He should give his reasons for the
changes suggested.
The report should show
(a) Brief description of the old method.
(b) Brief description of the new method.
(c) Reasons for change.
(d) Advantages and limitations of the new method.
(e) Savings expected in material, labour and overheads.
(f) Tools and equipment required for the new method.
(g) The cost of installing the new method including.
1. Cost of new tools and equipment.
2. Cost of re-layout of the shop.
3. Cost of training the workers in the new
method.
4. Cost of improving the working conditions.
Written standard practice:
Before installing the new method, an operator‘s
instructions sheet called written standard practice is
prepared. It serves the following purposes:
 It records the improved method for future reference
in as much detail as may be necessary.
 It is used to explain the new method to the
management foreman and operators.
 It gives the details of changes required in the layout
of machine and work places.
 It is used as an aid to training or retraining
operators.
 It forms the basis for time studies.
Written standard practice:
The written standard practice will contain the
following information:
(a) Tools and equipment to be used in the new
method.
(b) General operating conditions.
(c) Description of the new method in detail.
(d) Diagram of the workplace layout and
sketches of special tools, jigs or fixtures
required.
Method Study Procedure
6.Install the improved method in three phases-
planning, arranging and implementation
phases.
This step is the most difficult stage in
method study. Here the active support of
both management and trade union is
required. Here the work study man requires
skill in getting along with other people and
winning their trust.
Install stage consists of
(a) Gaining acceptance of the change by supervisor.
(b) Getting approval of management.
(c) Gaining the acceptance of change by workers
and trade unions.
(d) Giving training to operators in the new method.
(e) To be in close contact with the progress of the
job until it is
satisfactorily executed.
Method Study Procedure
 7. Maintain the new method by ensuring that the installed
method is functioning well.
The work study man must see that the new method
introduced is followed. The workers after some time may
slip back to the old methods. This should not be allowed.
The new method may have defects. There may be
difficulties also. This should be rectified in time by the
work study man.
Periodical review is made. The reactions and suggestions
from workers and supervisors are noted. This may lead to
further improvement.
The differences between the new written standard practice
and the actual practice are found out. Reasons for
variations are Analysed. Changes due to valid reasons are
accepted. The instructions are suitably modified.
 Refrences
 Industrial production and ergonomics by
Mr.vaibhav V Naik
 Pics and Graphs are from google