Work study

Methods Study or Work study is the management technique to investigate all the factors affecting the efficiency and economy of an organization under review in order to improve it. It assumes that for every job there is always one best way of doing it. A scientific method is the best and surest way of finding this one best way. The time taken for doing the job by the best way can be measured and set as a standard time. The process of determining the standard time for an operation is called work measurement.

Objective of work study The objective of work study is to avoid waste of any kind (time, human effort, materials, capital, etc.). Its slogan is work smart, not work hard [Turner]. To standardize the method of doing a task. To determine the standard time (ST) for doing a task to be used in wage payment. To minimize the unit cost of production by selecting proper machine tools, optimum parameters and proper process. To minimize the materials movements, operators movement, idle time of the workers and machines by proper plant layout. To eliminate the unnecessary human motions in performing a task. To utilize the facilities such as men, machines or materials most efficiently. Tools and techniques of work study Work study consists of (a) Method study, and (b) Work measurement.

METHOD STUDY
Method study is the process of subjecting work to systematic, critical scrutiny in order to make it more effective and/or more efficient. The steps of conducting method study are as given below: 1. Select: the job or work or method or operation for study. 2. Record: the various facts for the selected job. 3. Examine: the recorded facts for the selected job. 4. Develop: a better method by examining the recorded facts. 5. Install: the newly developed method, and 6. Maintain: this newly installed method to get the desired advantages.

Select:- Work is selected on the basis of it being an identified problem area and usually because it meets certain conditions of urgency or priority. Selecting a job calls for the following considerations by the person concerned. o o o Economic consideration: Method study is a costly process. It is important to match the gain from this study with the cost that goes into it. Technical consideration: We must have enough technical expertise before taking up a job for method study. Human reactions: If the study of a particular job causes discontent or conflicts or likely to cause unrest among the workers, then it is wise to take into confidence all concerned or in a worst situation give up the study altogether, even if it would bring considerable gains to the organization.

Record:- Recording is the second stage. After selecting a particular job for MS, the relevant facts regarding various processes, inspections, transportations, etc. are recorded properly. A wide range of techniques are available for recording; the choice depends on the nature of the investigation and the work being studied, and on the level of details required. Methods Study Charting Techniques Many of the traditional approaches in methods engineering can be classified as charting methods. In general, charting methods offer a graphic dimension to a problem and also channel data collection with respect to it. These charts and diagrams are discussed below:

(a) Operations Process Chart (b) Flow Process Chart (c)Flow Diagram (d) Man-Machine Chart (e) Multiple Activity Chart (f ) String Diagram. (a) Operation Process Chart (OPC): This chart has been used for long time to display the operations, inspections, and their sequence for manufacture of a complete product in one figure. Operation includes all work performed by a worker or a crew at one location at one time. (b) Flow Process Chart (FPC): In case of OPC, attention was paid only to operations, the flow process chart (FPC) includes additional components like transports or moves, delays and storages occurring during production. This also gives the information regarding the distance moved and time required for different items such as transportation, delays, and inspection, etc. It is usually prepared for one component of an assembly at a time. The different activities like: operation, transportation, inspection, storages, and delay are represented by the following symbols respectively

The flow process chart is particularly effective in tracing the incredible distance traveled by a part in plant specially if the plant is not designed scientifically. There are three types of flow process chart: (i) Flow Process Chart (machine type) (ii) Flow Process Chart (man type): This chart is based on man analysis. This is a graphic representation of different steps a person performs when doing a job and his movements from one place to another in performing that job. (iii) Flow Process Chart (product type): This chart is based on product analysis. This is a graphic representation of different steps involved in performing the work required to pass a product from one stage to another. A flow process chart is shown below for vulcanizing for tires.

Flow process chart

Operations process chart