METHOD STUDY

a procedure for examining the various activities

associated with the problem which ensures
• Systematic
• Objective and
• Critical
evaluation of the existing factors and in addition an
imaginative approach while developing improvements.
 Aspects of Method Study
There are three aspects of its application:

1. Method Study : is concerned with broad investigation and

improvements of a shop/section/department, the layout of
equipment and machines and the movement of men and
materials.

2. Motion study: is detailed investigation of the individual

worker/operator, layout of his/her machines, tools, jigs,
fixtures and movement of his/her limbs when he/she performs
his/her job. The ergonomics aspects like study of
environment, body postures, noise level and surrounding
temperature also form part of the investigation.
 Aspects of Method Study

3. Micro motion study: Much more detailed

investigation of very rapid movements of the various
limbs of the worker.
 Scope of Method Study
• Layout of shop floor and working areas of work stations
• Working Conditions
• Handling distances (material movement)
• Tooling and equipment used
• Quality standards to be achieved
• Operators and operations for achieving production targets
• Material to be used
• Power required and its availability
• Work cycle time
• Working processes
Benefits of Method Study
 Indicators of Method Study
• Bottleneck in the production system
• Long delivery dates
• Unbalanced work flow
• Under utilization of resources (idleness of plant)
• Increase in rejection rate
• Inconsistency in wages and incentives of workers
• Poor morale of workers (increase in absenteeism)
 Factors for selection of jobs for Method Study
• Economic factors
• Technical factors
• Human factors
 Factors for selection of jobs for Method Study
• Economic factors:
Method study involves cost and time. So if returns are not
attained, the whole exercise will go waste. Thus money spent
should be justified by the savings from it. Therefore
following questions should be answered for selection of a
job to know its economic importance to carry out method
study. If the job

• Have a high labour input i.e. time consuming

• Have excessive idleness of man and machines
• Involve heavy overtime payment to workers
• Have production bottlenecks
 Economic factors

Have work duplication at various work stations.

Have higher accidents proportion.
Have longer movements of men and materials.
Have never been studied for making improvements
Have high rework rate and cost

The job with maximum number of yes to these questions

should be given to priority to restore its economic health
using method study.
 Technical factors

The most important point is to ensure that adequate technical

knowledge about the job to be investigated is available if a
workable solution is to be found.
e.g. a particular machine tool is hurdle in achieving the
desired production rate and increase in cutting speed and
depth of cut increases the output but affects the quality
seriously. In such situation work study person must have
technical expertise in machine tools and metal cutting
processes to provide pragmatic solutions for such kinds of
problems.
 Technical factors

Some factors that favour selction in technical aspects are:

• Product having inconsistent quality
• Operations generating lot of scraps
• Frequent complaints from workers regarding the job
 Human factors

Following things are desired by the employees

• To earn more wages
• To get promoted
• To be liked by fellow workers
• To be of some importance among colleagues and seniors.
• To get satisfaction from their work
• To be involved in decision making process especially
related to their welfares.
• To obtain job security
So, all the above points should be given due importance for
selection of job for method study.
Method Study Tools
Method Study Procedure