ii"What do you think of time study’s future in light of computerized, predetermined standard data?"
— M.F., Maine timestudy timestudy timestudy

The Industry Advisor

The Fate of Time Study

By Gene Levine - www.genelevine.com

   I foresee no demise for time study even though I detailed in a previous article, "Bye Bye Engineering," reasons why it could fail. On the other hand, my Time Study Manual offers all the ways to keep it from failing.

Used as originally conceived, nothing equals the effectiveness of time study for finding easier, smarter ways to work and measuring human output — not even computerized synthetic data. Computerized data has proven to replace traditional time studies in cases where it is not possible to find 100% workers and where a preferred methods has not yet been determined.   But, a more detailed comparison to computerized synthetic standard programs is beyond the scope of this answer. We will now however, review the many benefits that accrue from properly developed time study production standards. The following short list of benefits will show that too much is at stake to shortcut or eliminate any steps required to achieve a valid study.

1. Obtains lower unit cost at all levels of production because production is more efficient.
2. Achieves greater output from a given amount of resources.
3. Improves the schedule of work.
4. Acts as the basis for future planning of money, manpower and machines.
5. Continually focuses attention on cost reduction and control.
6. Offers workers a definite objective statement of what is expected of them in a given period.
7. Increases the market and/or profit potential of the firm because of the lower unit cost.
8. Aides in the preparation and adoption of budgets.
9. Provides a management guide to either meet or exceed standards of performance set for their areas of control.
10. Rewards best workers, rather than giving equal compensation for unequal contribution.
11. Places greater emphasis of quality by paying only for the work which passes inspection.
12. Allows individuals the opportunity to set their own pace. By allowing them to do this, they largely determine their own take-home pay.

 Based on these benefits, it’s clear that properly executed time studies haven’t run their course. Still, the doomsayers believe time study has had its day. Their argument is: "How can time study be a valid technique when the piece rates they created are failing?"

 I believe that the supposed "correct" rates were incorrect, and never should have been installed in the first place. My experience has shown that when time studies fail to produce desired results, it is because one or more of the following Seven  -(7) necessary and essential prerequisites to a standard data time study were violated or skipped:

 Prerequisites for a Successful Time Study:

1. A preferred method is being used, has been documented (hopefully on video) and  . . ..

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