WORK

SA M P L I N G
J I T E N D E R KUMAR

Roll No: 14
 FLOW OF
𝗈 PRESENTATION
Brief overview of work measurement
𝗈 Work sampling
 WORK
𝗈 MEASUREMENT
Methodology to develop standard times needed to
perform operations.
𝗈 Time standards have been defined as the time

required by an average skilled operator, working

at a normal pace, to perform a specified task
using a prescribed method, allowing time for
personal needs, fatigue, and delay.
 WORK
𝗈 ConceptSAMPLING
𝗈 Definition

𝗈 Principle

𝗈 Terms used

𝗈 Procedure

𝗈 Examples

𝗈 Advantages and disadvantages

𝗈 Application
 CONCEP
𝗈 L . H . C . Tippet inT1934 for studying activities in
the cotton industry.
𝗈 A technique for estimating the proportion of time

that a worker or machine spends on various

activities and the idle time.
𝗈 Work sampling is a commonly used industrial

engineering technique designed to measure

how resources such as people, machines,
facilities, or equipment are used.
𝗈 The work sampling objective is to assess selected

aspects of an organization's operations. To find

the frequency of occurrence of every work
element.
CONTD
…
Brief observations of workers or machines.
𝗈

𝗈 At random intervals.
𝗈 To estimate the allocation of time on various

activities.
𝗈 Not the timing but the nature of the activity.

𝗈 Then based on the findings in this sample,

statements can be made about the activity.

𝗈 The standards derived from work sampling

might specify the proportion of time that should

be devoted to specific activities rather than the
amount of time required to perform a task.
 DEFINITIO
𝗈 N(also referred to as random
Work Sampling,
sampling or activity sampling) is a work
measurement technique where observations
about work are collected at discrete time
intervals, either periodic or random.
𝗈 Work sampling is broadly defined as the

application of statistical sampling techniques to

the study of work activities.
 PRINCIPL
𝗈 E a sufficient number of
Statistically, when
discrete samples are observed, the overall
percentage occurrence of the samples begins to
approach actual percentage of time that each
activity takes.
𝗈 Work sampling projects were traditionally

carried out manually using a paper and random

number tables.
𝗈 Issues involved:
𝗈 What level of statistical confidence is desired in the results?
𝗈 How many observations are necessary?

𝗈 When should the observations be made?

 TERMS USED IN
𝗈 SAMPLING
Survey area (universe)
𝗈 Preliminary survey (probe)
𝗈 Knowledge workers
𝗈 Physical workers
𝗈 Group sampling
𝗈 Individual sampling
𝗈 Observation
𝗈 Observation time
CONTD
…Nonworking activity
𝗈

𝗈 Working activity
𝗈 Undesirable working activity
𝗈 Confidence level
𝗈 Precision range
WOR K
S A MP L I NG
PROCEDURE
 WORK
SAMPLING
PROCEDURE
Identify the specific activities or
workers that are the main purpose for
the study:

𝗈 The selected worker should be representative

of the group and should be familiar with
standardized work methods.
𝗈 The workers and supervisors should be
notified of the purpose of the study.
CONTD
….
Plan the sampling procedure:

𝗈 Determine the number of observations to

be made:

i. Determine the confidence level.

ii. Set the accuracy limits.
iii.Apply the following formula.
CONTD
… 2
N Z p(1
p) 2 E
where,

N = Number of observations to be made

Z = Number of standard deviations

associated with a given confidence level
p = Estimated proportion of time that the
activity being measured occurs
E =Absolute error that is desired
CONTD
…
𝗈 Determining the time to make
observations:
❖ Random observations
❖ Use of a random number table. For
example, a work sampling study is to be
conducted over a 1- week period of five
8- hour workdays, the total number of
minutes would be (60 x 8 x 5) = 2400
minutes. A four-digit column of random
number could be used to select numbers
between 0000 and 2400.
CONTD
…
❖ In case of few observations, some form of
alarm watch or other system is used.

❖The number of observations to be taken is

usually divided equally over the study period.
For example, if 500 observations are to be
made over a 10 day period, observations are
usually scheduled at 50 per day.
CONTD
…
𝗈 Take the observations

𝗈 At two or three intervals during the study

period, recompute the required sample size by
using the data collected so far. Adjust the
number of observations if appropriate.
CONTD
…
Convert the work sampling
observations into proportions and
calculate desired standard time
estimates:

𝗈 Compute the normal time per part

(%of time working) (performance rating)
number of units produced
𝗈 Compute the standard time per part
normal time + allowances
 EXAMPL
E study, a mechanic was
In a work sampling
found to be idle for 20% of the time. Find out
the number of observations needed to
conform to the above figures with a
confidence level of 95% and a relative error
level by + 5%.
 SOLUTIO
N
number of observations required:
N = Z^2p q
E^2
Where,
E = absolute error ( s x p ) p =
percentage of idling
q = percentage of activity ( 1 –
p)
Z = coefficient of the confidence level
( 1.96 for 95% confidence)
CONTD.
.Hence,
N = (1.96)^2
(0.2)(0.8)
(0.05 x 0.2)^2
= (3.84)
(0.16)
(0.010)^2
=
0.61
0.0001
=
 EXAMPL
The following areE
the results of a work sampling study:
Observation period (in hours) 300 hours
Units processed 27000 parts
Workers working during 1600
observation time
Workers idle during observation
400 time
Performance rating 80%
Allowances 10%

Find the standard number of units the worker should process in an

hour.
 SOLUTIO
N
S tate Number Of Percentage
Observations

Working workers 1600 1600/2000 = 80

Idle workers 400 400/2000 = 20

Total 2000 100

𝗈 Thus, actual working hours out of 300 hours =

80% of 300 = 240 hours.
CONTD
…
Normal time = actual time x performance rating
𝗈

100
= ( 240 x 80 )/ 100
= 192 hours
𝗈 Allowances @10% in 300 hours = 30 hours
𝗈 Standard time = 192 + 30
= 222 hours
𝗈 Standard number of units produced per hour =

27000/ 222
= 122 parts
 ADVANTAGES

𝗈It is a less expensive procedure.

𝗈Observers with minimal specialized training can

conduct the sampling.

𝗈It is an effective means of collecting facts that

would not normally be collected by other means.

𝗈Several operators or machines may be observed

simultaneously by a single observer.

𝗈No mechanical device needed.
CONTD
…
It results in less anxiety and agitation
𝗈

among workers.
𝗈 There is minimal interference with the

worker's normal routine.

𝗈 It measures the utilization of people and

equipment directly.
𝗈 A work sampling study may be

interrupted at any time without affecting

the results.
 DISADVANTAGES
𝗈 It is not economical for studying a
single operator or machine, or for
studying operators or machines located
over wide areas.
𝗈 It cannot provide a much
detailed information .
𝗈 The operator may change his or her work

pattern upon sight of the observer.

𝗈 It is of little value in helping to improve

work methods.
CONTD
…A lot of groundwork is required.
𝗈

𝗈 A work sampling study made of a group

obviously presents average results, and
there is no information as to the magnitude
of the individual differences.
 SUITABILITY
𝗈 Group activities,
𝗈 Non-Repetitive activities with long cycle times

(example: maintenance operator, support

personnel, etc.),
𝗈 Activities that are not rigidly constrained from

the time standpoint,

𝗈 Heterogeneous activities.
 APPLICATIONS
𝗈 For ratio delay studies.
𝗈 To indicate the nature of the distribution of work

activities within a gang operation.

𝗈 To estimate the percentage of utilization of

groups of similar machines or equipment.

𝗈 To determine the productive and non- productive

utilization of clerical operations.

𝗈 To measure performance.

𝗈 To indicate how materials handling equipments

are being used.

CONTD
…
To provide a basis for indirect labor standards.
𝗈

𝗈 To determine the standard time for a non-

repetitive operation as an alternative to the stop
watch period.
𝗈 To determine the allowances for inclusion in

standard times.
 CONCLUSIO
N

“ A work measurement technique whereby

random observations are made for non-repetitive
activities so as to disclose underutilized workers,
poor worker discipline, overstaffing, inadequate
training, inefficient plant layout, excessive
delays (caused by poor planning, material
scheduling, or tooling), or other deficiencies.”
T HA NK Y OU
!!!!