SHAH JALAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SYLHET

DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL & PRODUCTION ENGINEERING

Course: IPE 336; Title: OM and QCM Sessional.

Motion study and time study are foundational concepts in operations management. These are
designed to analyze and optimize workflows, processes, and individual tasks. For students in
Operations Management, a practical exercise can help them understand these concepts in
depth.

Objective:

To understand and apply the principles of motion study and time study to improve the
efficiency of a task or process.

Exercise Steps:

1. Select a Task or Process

• Identify a simple, repetitive task that students can observe or perform themselves.
Examples:
o Assembling a LEGO model.
o Sorting and counting coins.
o Arranging books alphabetically.
o Any other idea….

2. Motion Study

• Objective: Analyze and reduce unnecessary movements to make the process more
efficient.
• Steps:
1. Observe the task being performed and record each motion step (e.g., pick up,
reach, place, adjust).
2. Create a flow diagram or sequence chart of the task.
3. Identify unnecessary or redundant motions (e.g., excessive walking, searching
for tools).
4. Suggest improvements (e.g., reorganizing workspace, combining steps).

3. Time Study

• Objective: Measure the time taken to perform the task and determine standard time.
• Steps:
1. Perform the task multiple times under normal conditions to gather time data.
2. Use a stopwatch or timer to measure the time for each iteration.
3. Record the observations and calculate the average time.
4. Adjust the average time to account for allowances (e.g., fatigue, delays).

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 SHAH JALAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SYLHET
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL & PRODUCTION ENGINEERING
Course: IPE 336; Title: OM and QCM Sessional.

4. Analyze and Improve

• Compare the results from the initial task with the improved task.
• Quantify the efficiency gains in terms of time saved or motions eliminated.
• Document findings with charts, diagrams, and summaries.

Deliverables:

• Motion study documentation: Process flow, identified inefficiencies, and suggested

improvements.
• Time study data: Recorded times, averages, and adjustments for allowances.
• Final report: Summary of changes, efficiency improvements, and reflections on the
exercise.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop skills to observe, analyze, and improve processes.

• Understand the practical application of motion and time study principles.
• Learn the importance of systematic process optimization in operations management.

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 SHAH JALAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SYLHET
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL & PRODUCTION ENGINEERING
Course: IPE 336; Title: OM and QCM Sessional.

Exercise Title:

Analyzing and Improving Processes with Motion and Time Studies

Objective:

To help students understand the principles of motion and time studies and apply them to
analyze and optimize a simple work process.

Materials Required:

1. Stopwatch or timer (smartphones can be used).

2. Recording sheets (printed or digital).
3. A simple task for observation (e.g., assembling a small puzzle, folding paper,
organizing objects).
4. Workspace setup for the task.
5. Recording device (optional for motion analysis).

Instructions:

Step 1: Define the Task

1. Select a simple, repetitive task suitable for a classroom environment, such as:
o Sorting and arranging colored beads into containers.
o Packing items into a box.
o Assembling a basic LEGO set.
o Typing a sentence repeatedly.
2. Explain the task's steps to the participants.

Step 2: Conducting the Motion Study

1. Observation:
Assign students to observe a participant performing the task. Ask them to:
o Break the task into basic motions (e.g., picking, placing, reaching).
o Note any unnecessary movements.
2. Recording:
o Use a flow chart or process chart to document each motion.
o Identify "bottle-neck" movements or inefficient sequences.
3. Improvement Suggestions:
Ask students to propose ways to eliminate unnecessary motions (e.g., repositioning
tools, streamlining workflows).

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 SHAH JALAL UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SYLHET
DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRIAL & PRODUCTION ENGINEERING
Course: IPE 336; Title: OM and QCM Sessional.

Step 3: Conducting the Time Study

1. Preparation:
o Assign one student as the timer and another as the recorder.
o Perform several repetitions of the task to gather data.
2. Measurement:
o Record the time taken for each repetition.
o Note variations in time and identify consistent patterns.
3. Analysis:
o Calculate the average time per task.
o Identify delays or inefficiencies.

Step 4: Implement and Reevaluate

1. Based on the motion study improvements, adjust the workspace or task procedure.
2. Repeat the task and conduct another time study to measure improvements.
3. Compare results and document the changes in time and motion efficiency.

Deliverables:

1. Motion study chart (before and after).

2. Time study table (average, maximum, and minimum times).
3. Recommendations for process improvements.
4. Reflection on the importance of these studies in operations management.

Discussion Questions:

1. What were the most significant inefficiencies observed?

2. How did changes in motion affect time efficiency?
3. What challenges did you face during the study?
4. How can these techniques be applied in real-world operations management?

Outcome:

Students will gain hands-on experience in analyzing tasks using motion and time study
techniques, understanding their application in optimizing workflows and improving
productivity.

Would you like help tailoring this to a specific task or scenario?