Operations Management: Processes and Supply Chains, 12th Edition

Time Study Method

The method used most often for setting time standards for a job is called a time study, which consists of four steps.

Step 1: Selecting Work Elements

Each work element should have definite starting and stopping points to facilitate taking stopwatch readings. Work elements that take less than three seconds to complete should be avoided because they are difficult to time. The work elements selected should correspond to a standard work method that has been running smoothly for a period of time in a standard work environment. Incidental operations not normally involved in the task should be identified and separated from the repetitive work.

Step 2: Timing the Elements

After the work elements have been identified, the analyst times ...