The
results
of
work
sampling and
are
effective
for
determining
machine
personnel
utilization,
allowances applicable to the job and production standards. Although, the same information can be obtained by time study procedures, work sampling frequently provides the same information faster and at considerably less cost. (Niebels, 2007)
Stated by Niebel (2007) The accuracy of data determined by work sampling depends on the
number of observations and the period over which the random
observations are taken. The analyst should design an observation form to record the data to be gathered during the work sampling study. A standard form is usually not acceptable, since each work sampling study is unique from the standpoint of the total observations needed, the random times that observations are made, and the information being sought.
In approaching the work area, the analyst must not
anticipate the expected recording. (Niebel,2007)
If
the operator to be studied is idle, the analyst
must also determine the reason for idleness and mark this on the form (Niebel,2007)
Individual factors that affect performance: gender,
age, handedness, fitness and trainings (Miller & Freivalds, 1987).
The control chart techniques used in statistical quality control work can readily be applied to work sampling studies to identify problem areas and be used to show the progressive improvement of work areas. (Niebel,2007) The control chart, according to Deming (1988) is a means
of visualizing the variations that occur in the central
tendency and dispersion of a set of observations. It also
made use of a control limits that evaluate the variations
in quality from subgroup to subgroup.
Natural
requires
variation is the result of chance causes that
management intervention to achieve quality
improvement.
Unnatural
variation is the result of assignable causes
requires corrective action by people close to the process such as operators, clerks and any other workers
Assignable
predictable.
causes these can be readily identified and
Chance causes these are random causes that are inevitable,
difficult to detect and identify.
Assignable Cause Present Chance Cause Present
The control chart techniques used in statistical quality
control work can readily be applied to work sampling
studies to identify problem areas and be used to show
the progressive improvement of work areas.
(Niebel,2007)
The control chart, according to Deming (1988) is a
means of visualizing the variations that occur in the
central tendency and dispersion of a set of observations.
It is very important to take note of the subgroup size.
As it increases, the control limits
become closer to the central value, which makes the control chart more
sensitive to small variations in the process
average (Deming, 1988).
The service sector provides a special challenge to the accurate
measurement of productivity and productivity improvement. It is
difficult to improve because of the following factors: (Heizer and Render, 2011)
Labor intensive
Frequently focused on unique individual attributes or desire Often an intellectual task performed by professionals
Often difficult to mechanize and automate
Often difficult to evaluate for quality To create a customer value in an efficient and sustainable way is an idea of a competitive advantage. (Heizer and Render,2011)
The proponents made a preliminary work sampling of 30 observations in which the result of idle percentage was used for another work sampling activity. The new number of observations was obtained through the used of nomogram. The proponents also made thorough research in constructing a work sampling form and the process of work sampling method.
Quantitative approach is being used in gathering and analyzing the data. Only one person is being considered as the subject of the study. The control chart was constructed as to the details of per random times and per day performance. In which, the out-of-control conditions gathered were the bases for generating recommendations for
improvement.
This study will deal accordingly to answer the following questions:
[Link] economical is the use of work sampling in determining the following: 1.1 Working time 1.2 Idle time
1.3 Standard time
2. What are the problems or causes for the non productive occurences of the worker?
3. What are the possible recommendations that will improve the productive occurrence of the worker?
La-Fortuna Bakery, Inc.
Name of the company
Carmen Sy
Owner
Marfe Ancit
Cashier/ all-around 200 per day wage
12,000php 15,000php
Estimated sales per day on regular basis
Information Total Time Expended by Operator (Working time and Idle time) Working time in percent
Data for 6 Days
282 min
58%
Total Number of Times Working
Idle time in percent Average Performance index Total Allowances
3600 times (6 days)
42% 37.1% 15%
Standard time
(Total
=
time in min.)x(Working time in%)x(Performance Index in %)
x
Allowance
Total number of times working
(282 x 0.58 x 3.71)
=
(
x
100
3600
(100 15)
0.20 min = 12 sec.
Control limits
p = p +3 p(1-p) / n
N = 282 observations n = total number of obs. = number of days studied 282 = 6 47
p = No. of idle obs.= 118= 0.42 total no. of obs. 282
CL for p = 0.42+3(0.42 x 0.58) / 47
= 0.42 +0.22 UCL LCL = 0.64 = 0.20
Date of Study
Total Number of Obs.
Number of Obs. Idle
% of Day Idle
March 8 March 9
47 47
17 22
0.36 = 36% 0.47 = 47%
March 12
March 13 March 14 March 15
47
47 47 47
24
16 20 16
0.51 = 51%
. 0.34 = 34% 0.43 = 43% 0.34 = 34%
0.64
0.52 0.42
percent occurence
0.32
0.20
8-Mar
9-Mar 12-Mar 13-Mar 14-Mar 15-Mar
Obs. No
%non-prod.
Obs. No.
%non-prod.
Obs.
%non-prod.
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15
17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 17% 50% 83% 67% 67% 50% 67% 50% 50%
17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31
33% 17% 0% 17% 50% 50% 67% 33% 67% 50% 17% 33% 50% 100% 67%
33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47
33% 17% 33% 33% 33% 50% 33% 100% 83% 50% 17% 67% 33% 33% 33%
UCL
CL p
LCL
1.04 1.02 1.00 0.98 0.96 0.94 0.92 0.90 0.88 0.86 0.84 0.82 0.80 0.78 0.76 0.74 0.72 0.70 0.68 0.66 0.64 0.62 0.60 0.58 0.56 0.54 0.52 0.50 0.48 0.46 0.44 0.42 0.40 0.38 0.36 0.34 0.32 0.30 0.28 0.26 0.24 0.22 0.20 0.18 0.16 0.14 0.12 0.10 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0.00
Percetage occurence
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47
Observation Nos.
Productive Occurrence
50 45
40
35 30 25 20 15 Occurrence
10
5 0
Non-Productive Occurrence
45
40 35 30 25 20 15
10
5 0
Occurrence
Working time and Idle time almost got a closer result with 58% and 42% respectively. Based from the types of out-of-control condition:
Trend
or
steady
change
in
level
--workers
performance is affected due to boredom and
inattention
Change or jump in level --there was an
unintentional change or minor failure made by the
worker such as being late and going home (emergency cases). When it comes to service, the co-worker is still attending the customers needs or questions, and the worker (subject) would have to wait.
Recurring Cycle idleness take most between 8 am 10:30 am and 3pm downwards. Working time takes most when its mid-afternoon or the students are taking their lunch. Seasonal effects or peak hours cannot be avoided and so, this affect the condition of the workers performance. Two populations there is a large differences in the test
method or the random times being used. There are times when
the observation took place (1 min.) after the previous observation, and the next observation will be done after 5 minutes or more. This affects the condition in such a way that the result becomes bias.
Mistakes this can be very embarrassing but there could be a mistake in recording the data. In a case, where the analyst have to assign other students to take records of the data, yet that student doesnt have a background of work sampling and is careless with the random times, or anticipate the recording of data. The points outside the control limits showed that there were chance causes present, such as going home for an emergency and the peak hour of students for taking a dinner or meal.
Natural Variation the management has to facilitate the performance of the worker when it comes to being late
Assignable cause although the plotted points where located inside the control limits there are still unnatural
variation that is to be considered, such as the service or
product that they offer. Most of their products (foods) are identical with the other food shop in the canteen, the management then, has to offer a new product.
Work sampling can provide information about the productive and
non productive occurrence of the worker. However, it does not
provide a complete information about the method used by the
worker.
The behavior of the worker could also affect the data recorded especially when the observations are made too obvious of the worker and there is a shifting of performance.
Work sampling tends to average and generalize the results. The variations of the results then will only lead to an inappropriate analyzation of the problems.
The control chart helps determine the percentage occurrence of the nonproductive work per random times given. However, when it is measured
per day, there has to be a sample size per random times or subgroup.
That resulted to a generalization of the work for a single subject only, not applicable for other workers present in the workplace.
The following recommendations are to be implemented: set up the determined standard time Produce a new product or menu to improve marketing service Facilitate the performance and behavior of the worker when it comes to being late Increase the wage payment from 200 php to 305php in accordance to the labor code, to satisfy the workers performance and job security.
Groover, M. (2007).Work Systems and the Methods, Measurement, and Management of Work. Pearson Education, Inc. New Jersey Denton, K. (1982). Safety Management, Improving Performance. Mc-Graw Hill Book Company. New York Deming, E. (1988). Quality Control Handbook. Mc-Graw Hill Book Company. New York Freivalds, A. and Niebel, B. (2009). Niebels Methods, Standards, and Work Design. New York: Mc-Graw Hill Companies, Inc.
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