Direct Time Study

Chapter 13

Sections:
1. Direct Time Study Procedure
2. Number of Work Cycles to be Timed
3. Performance Rating
4. Time Study Equipment

Direct Time Study - Defined

Also known as stopwatch time study
Direct and continuous observation of a task using a
stopwatch or other timekeeping device to record the time
taken to accomplish the task
While observing and recording the time, an appraisal
of the workers performance level is made to obtain the
normal time for the task
The data are then used to compute a standard time for
the task
It is much more appropriate for repetitive tasks (batch and
mass production)

1. Direct Time Study Procedure

1. Define and document the standard method
2. Divide the task into work elements
Steps 3&4 are performed simultaneously, several times.
3. Time the work elements to obtain the observed time
Tobs
4. Evaluate workers pace relative to standard
performance to obtain normal time Tn
Called performance rating (PR)
Tn = Tobs(PR)
Then the values collected in steps 3 and 4 are averaged.
5. Apply allowance factor to compute standard time
Tstd = Tn(1 + Apfd)

1.1 Document the Standard Method

We first start with methods engineering study:
determine the one best method
o Seek workers advice if possible

Documentation should include:

o All of the steps in the method
o Special tools, gauges, equipment and equipment
settings (e.g., feeds and speeds) if applicable
o workplace layout, working conditions, even a videotape
of the method
o Irregular elements and their frequency
o You should guarantee that all the items given above
are standardized

13.1

Form to document
the standard method

Why Documentation is Important?

1. Batch production repeat orders after a significant time lapse
Document provide the worker with a complete description
of the task
2. Methods improvements by operator to restudy task, must be
able to prove a change has occurred
An operator may discover a way to improve the process
3. Disputes about method operator complains
that standard is too tight
Is operator using the standard method? To solve the
dispute you may apply the document(s)
4. Data for standard data system good documentation is
essential for developing a standard data system

1.2 Divide Task into Work Elements

Work element:
Series of motion activities that are grouped logically
together
Has a unified purpose in the task
Guidelines:
Each work element should consist of a logical group of
motion elements
Beginning point of one element should be the end point
of the preceding element
Each element should have a readily identifiable end
point
Work elements should not be too long nor too short
Separate irregular elements, machine elements, internal
elements

1.3 Time the Work Elements

Each element should be timed over several

work cycles to obtain a reliable average

Stopwatch timing methods:

1. Snapback timing method Flyback
stopwatch is reset to zero at the start of
each work element
2. Continuous timing method stopwatch is
allowed to run continuously throughout the
duration of the work cycle
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Advantages of Each Timing Method

Advantages of snapback method:
Analyst can readily see how element times vary from
cycle to cycle
No subtraction necessary to obtain individual
element times
Advantages of continuous method:
Elements cannot be omitted by mistake
Regular and irregular elements can be more readily
distinguished
Manipulation and resetting of the stopwatch is
reduced

13.2

Direct Time
Study Form

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1.4 Performance Rating

Analyst judges the performance or pace of the
worker relative to the definition of standard
performance used by the organization
Standard (normal) performance PR = 100%
Slower pace than standard PR < 100%
Faster pace than standard PR > 100%
Normal time Tn = Tobs(PR)

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1.5 Apply Allowances

A PFD allowance is added to the normal time to
compute the standard time
Tstd = Tn (1 + Apfd)
where Apfd = allowance factor for personal time,
fatigue, and delays
The function of the allowance factor is to inflate
the value of standard time in order to account for
the various reasons why the worker loses time
during the shift

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Example 1
Given: A direct time study was taken on a manual work
element using the snapback method. The regular cycle
consisted of three elements, a, b, and c. Element d is an
irregular element performed every five cycles.
Work element
a
b
c
d
Observed time (min) 0.56
0.25
0.50
1.10
Performance rating
100% 80% 110% 100%
Determine
(a) normal time
(b) standard time for the cycle using Apfd=0.15

Solution

(a) Normal time:

Tn = 0.56(1.00) + 0.25(0.80) + 0.50(1.10)
+ 1.10(1.0)/5 = 1.53 min
(b) Standard time:
Tstd = 1.53(1 + 0.15) = 1.76 min

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Machine Cycle in the Task

If the work cycle includes machine-paced
elements, then standard time may include a
machine allowance applied to the machine time
Tstd = Tnw(1 + Apfd) + max{Tnwi(1 + Apfd),Tm(1 + Am)}

where
Tnw = normal time for worker (external) elements,
Tnwi = normal time for worker (internal) elements,
Tm = machine cycle time (assumed constant),
Am = machine allowance
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Example 2

Given: The snapback timing method was used in a direct time

study of task includes a machine cycle. Elements a, b, c, and d are
performed by the operator and element m is a machine
semiautomatic cycle. Element b is an internal element performed
simultaneously with element m. Element d is an irregular element
performed every 15 cycles. Apfd=0.15.
Work element
Observed time,
manual, min
Performance rating
Machine element
Observed time,
machine, min

a
0.22

b
0.65

c
0.47

d
0.75

100%

80%
m
1.56

100%

100%

(idle)

(idle)

(idle)

Determine (a) normal time and (b) standard time for the cycle

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Solution
(a) Normal time:
Tn =Ta(PR)+max{Tb(PR),Tm}+Tc(PR)+Td(PR)/n
Tn = 0.22(1.00) + max{0.65(0.80),1.56}
+ 0.47(1.0) + 0.75(1.0)/15 =
=0.22+1.56+0.47+0.05= 2.30 min
(b) Standard time:
Tstd = Tnw(1 + Apfd) + max{Tnwi(1 + Apfd),Tm(1 + Am)}
Tstd = (0.22+0.47+0.05)(1 + 0.15)
+ max{0.52(1+0.15), 1.56(1+0.20)}
=0.85+1.87=2.72 min

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Cycle-to-Cycle Time Variations

Result from the following:
1. Variations in hand and body motions
2. Variation in the placement of parts and tools
3. Variations in the quality of the starting work units
4. Operator mistakes
5. Timing errors by analyst
6. Variations in worker pace
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2. Number of Cycles to be Timed

Let Te work element time
x =individual values of observed times collected during the study
= observed average value of the element time
x of observations of an element that are needed
n: number
k = acceptable fraction of x-bar
Objective: Identify the true value of Te within a certain confidence
interval.
We want to be 100(1-)% confident that Te lies within 10% of Te.
After several cycles, calculate sample standard deviation s
s=

x x

Using the Student t distribution,

n 1
n=

t / 2 s

kx

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Example 3
A time study analyst has collected 10 readings
on a particular work element of interest and
would like to consider how many more cycles
to time. Based on the sample, the mean time
for the elements is 0.40 min and the sample
standard deviation is 0.07 min. At a 95%
confidence level, how many cycles should be
timed to ensure the actual element time is
within 10% of the mean?

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Example: solution
We have 10-1=9 degrees of freedom in the t distribution, t/2 at the
95% confidence level (/2=0.025) is 2.262.

t / 2 s
n

kx

2.262(0.07)
n
15.7 16
(0.1)(0.40)

Since 10 cycles have already been timed, the analyst needs data
from 6 more cycles.
Now we are 95% confident that the true value of Te is within (0.040.1(0.04), 0.04+0.1(0.04))
That is, P(0.036 Te 0.044) 0.95
or P(0.036 Te 0.044) = 0.95

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Some insights
The statistical accuracy of the time data
increases with more observations
Spend more time in analyzing important
tasks; high production operations
Shorter work cycles allow more cycles to be
timed.
Tradeoff: Accuracy and precision vs. cost

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4. Time Study Equipment

1.

Stopwatch

Mechanical stopwatches

Electronic stopwatches

Scales
1. Decimal minutes
2. Decimal hours

2.

Video cameras

Provides visual and audio record of method used by

worker

3.

Computerized techniques in direct time study

Use of PCs and PDAs

With this PDA, you can study elements,
time, performance rate, and statistical
confidence intervals can be created,
edited, managed, and downloaded to a
spreadsheet

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