Meaning of Work Study:

Work study is the investigation, by means of a consistent system of the work done in an
organization in order to attain the best utilisation of resources i.e. Materials, Machines, Men and
Money. All the technologies and management systems are related with productivity.

(i) To analyse the work in order to achieve work simplification and thereby improving
productivity of the system.

(ii) To have optimum utilization of resources i.e., 4 Ms.

(iii) To evaluate the work content through work measurement.

(iv) To set time standards for various jobs.

In nutshell work study is mainly concerned with the examination of human work. In fact planning is not
possible unless one knows how long it will take to do a particular job. Thus time is very important to the
manufacturer who must keep to promise, to estimate quantities and to other industrial and business
arrangements or organizations.

Definition and Concept of Work Study:

Generally work study is used to describe a complete set of techniques with the help of which work can
be simplified, standardized and measured.

Need For Work Study:

Principles of work study have been used since long to identify the improvements to be
incorporated, when industrial set up was simple and involved lesser problems. The industries of today
with increased complexities and modernisation naturally demand a more systematic approach like work
study in its present form for solution of various problems.

Some important objectives of method study are:

(1) Better design of plant equipment and buildings.

(2) Less fatigue or workers by avoiding unnecessary movements of manpower.

(3) Better working conditions and environment for workers/employees.

(4) To have more effective utilisation of materials, machines and manpower and money.

(5) Better Product quality.

(6) Efficient and fast material handling equipment.

(7) Leads to standardisation, rationalisation, simplification and specialisation.

(8) Efficient planning of the section.

(9) Streamlined working procedures.