Method Study Definition and Purpose

Method Study Definition and Objectives

• Method study is a systematic investigation of the existing method of doing a job to develop and install an easy, rapid, efficient, effective, and less fatiguing procedure.
• Objectives of method study include:
  • Improving efficiency and productivity
  • Enhancing quality
  • Reducing waste and costs
  • Optimizing resource utilization
  • Standardization and consistency
  • Ensuring safety and ergonomics
  • Facilitating training and skill development
  • Promoting employee engagement and satisfaction
  • Supporting continuous improvement
  • Meeting customer needs and expectations

Procedure of Method Study

• Select the work worth studying and define the objective to be achieved
• Record all relevant information pertaining to the existing method
• Examine the recorded events critically and in sequence
• Develop the best method as resulted from critical examination
• Install the best developed method
• Installation involves three phases: planning, arranging, and implementing

Process Charts

• Process charts are used to record different types of events
• Five basic symbols are used to record different types of events:
  • Operation
  • Storage
  • Delay or temporary storage
  • Transport
  • Inspection

Operational Analysis

• Operational analysis is a detailed study of different operations involved in doing a work
• It examines the shortcomings of the existing method and develops an improved procedure
• The analysis considers the movements of the limbs and aims to find a simpler and economical method

Analysis of Motion

• Analysis of motion is a detailed study of individual motions of a worker
• The purpose is to design an improved method that eliminates unnecessary motions and employs human effort more productively
• Steps involved in motion analysis:
  • Select the operation to be studied
  • List and chart various motions performed by the operator
  • Identify productive and idle motions
  • Eliminate unnecessary motions
  • Redesign the existing operation procedure
  • Impart necessary instructions to the worker

Principles of Motion Economy

• Principles of motion economy are a set of rules designed to develop better methods
• The principles are classified into four categories:
  • Rules concerning human body
  • Rules concerning workplace layout and material handling
  • Rules concerning tools and equipment design
  • Rules concerning time conservation

Time Study

• Time study is the aspect of work study that determines the standard time for various operations
• Objectives of time study include:
  • Determining the standard time for various operations
  • Estimating the cost of product accurately
  • Predicting the duration of a particular work
  • Determining the number of machines an operator can run
  • Determining the optimum number of men and machines
  • Providing information for planning and scheduling
  • Balancing the work of all workers working in a group

Simultaneous Motion Cycle (SIMO)

• SIMO is an extremely detailed left- and right-hand operation chart
• It shows the simultaneous minute movements performed by the two hands of an operator on a common time scale
• Construction of SIMO involves:
  • Filming a number of short and repetitive work cycles using a 16 mm movie camera
  • Selecting the most efficient performed cycle for analysis
  • Analyzing the film frame by frame and recording the data
  • Drawing a SIMO chart for further study and analysis
  • Developing a better and improved procedure for doing a job