Work Study Principles and Techniques

Work Study Principles

• Importance: Organizations need to improve efficiency and productivity in competitive global markets by finding new, cost-effective ways to produce/provide services. Work study and industrial engineering are crucial for this.
• Industrial Engineering: Focuses on designing, enhancing, and managing engineering systems (plants, machinery, workers).
• Work Study Techniques: Uses method study and work measurement to analyze work, optimize tasks, and increase productivity. Aims to increase on-job performance, optimally utilize plant/machinery, and standardize work methods.
• Work Study Objectives:
  • Analyze existing methods scientifically.
  • Measure performances of qualified workers; creating performance standards.
  • Optimize worker, plant, machinery, and resource utilization at minimal cost.
  • Enhance worker morale, increase productivity, and boost organizational efficiency.
• Work Study Advantages:
  • Increased production efficiency
  • Higher production levels, optimal resource utilization
  • Improved material and product flow
  • Efficient handling of materials and better layout
  • Reduced production costs by decreasing time spent on tasks
  • Improved worker morale, safety, and efficiency
  • Established benchmark/standard performance levels providing achievable targets.
  • Improved job satisfaction and incentive planning.
• Work Content: The theoretically minimum time required to produce one unit, assuming perfect design, process, and no lost time other than breaks.
• Handling Work Study: The process requires careful and tactful handling of workers and management to avoid negative reactions. Skills and care during the implementation are vital.
• Nature of Work Study:
  • Improves plant/operating unit productivity without significant capital expenditure.
  • Systematic and accurate in process analysis, which ensures no relevant details overlooked.
  • Sets accurate performance standards for efficient production planning/control.
  • Contributes to improved worker safety and working conditions.
  • Provides immediate & ongoing savings
  • Adaptable to a wide range of applications (manufacturing, offices, stores, labs, service industries).
  • Relatively inexpensive and easy to implement.
  • A powerful investigative tool for exposing and addressing inefficiencies within organizations.

Method Study and Work Measurement

• Method Study: Systematic recording and evaluation of existing/proposed work methods to implement improvements.
• Work Measurement: Applying specific techniques to determine the time a qualified worker takes to complete a task at a given work rate.
• Method study and work measurement Relationship: Method study focuses on reducing work content, while work measurement examines & measures inefficiencies/establishing time standards for improved processes.

Basic Work Study Procedure

• Step 1: Select the job or process.
• Step 2: Collect relevant data using appropriate techniques.
• Step 3: Critically examine the collected data, challenging each aspect of the process: purpose, location, sequence, personnel, and method.
• Step 4: Develop the most economical method considering various production management techniques and expert input.
• Step 5: Evaluate improved method output & calculate standardized time.
• Step 6: Clearly define the new method and time standards, presenting them to all parties involved.
• Step 7: Implement the new method with training and agreement.
• Step 8: Monitor and compare results against targets to maintain standards.

Method Study Objectives & Procedures

• Method Study Objectives:
  • Investigate existing and proposed work processes
  • Find efficient ways to increase production & reduce costs
  • Achieve optimum resource utilization
  • Ensure increased overall productivity and profitability.
• Method Study Procedures:
  • Select the work to be studied
  • Record the current method
  • Critically examine the facts
  • Develop the most practical, economic, and effective method
  • Install the new method
  • Maintain and monitor the new method and practice through checks.