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A time and motion study is used to analyze work efficiency through the observation and
timing of tasks. It can help you see where your day could be more efficient, saving you
time and and energy, which everyone could use! You can perform one on yourself or
observe another person. First, you must decide what method you'll use from real-time
observation to a sampling approach, and then you'll observe and time the task. After
you've completed the study, you can use the data to create a more efficient work
process.
Part
1 Choosing a Data Recording Method
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for the time. Often, tasks are done in batches. If that's the case, have a place
to record the time for each component of each task. You'll just need a set of
numbered boxes for this part. Also add a column for notes.
For instance, if the task is checking email and one of the components is
reading email, make a record of the time it takes to read each email in the
numbered boxes next to the component.
Time each task. Start with a stopwatch. Time each component of the
3 task, jotting down the time it took to complete each component. It's often
easier to just stop and start the timer, using the elapsed time. You can go in
later and figure out how many seconds were spent on each task.
For more accuracy, take data over multiple days.
Time tasks using video. When you're using a video, you'll need to stop
4 and start the video for each component you're timing. That way, you'll
have time to write down your notes and the times for each component.
Part
3 Analyzing the Results and Making Changes
Average out the times for each component. After you're done, take the
1
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times for each component and find the average. To find an average, add
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For instance, if you have reading emails as the component, the times
Let's do this!
might be 65 seconds, 210 seconds, 240 seconds, 39 seconds, and 354
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9/4/2020 How to Conduct a Time and Motion Study: 14 Steps (with Pictures)
Find the average time for the task. The easiest way to find the average
2 time for the whole task is to simply add all the averages for the
components together. That will give you the average for the whole task.
Cut back on low-value, high-time tasks. After you've rated your tasks,
4 look at which tasks take a large amount of time while having a low value
overall. Those are the tasks that you need to figure out how to cut back. It's
also important to look at the tasks that take a lot of time but also have high
value. It doesn't hurt to try to make these tasks more efficient.[6]
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References
1. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1532046414000562
2. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1532046414000562
3. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1532046414000562
4. http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1532046414000562/
5. http://blog.idonethis.com/how-to-do-a-time-and-motion-study-to-make-real-
change/
6. http://blog.idonethis.com/how-to-do-a-time-and-motion-study-to-make-real-
change/
7. http://blog.idonethis.com/how-to-do-a-time-and-motion-study-to-make-real-
change/
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