Time and Motion Study - Conducting Time Studies

Conducting Time Studies

According to good practice guidelines for production studies a comprehensive time study consists of:

1. Study goal setting;
2. Experimental design;
3. Time data collection;
4. Data analysis;
5. Reporting.

The collection of time data can be done in several ways, depending on study goal and environmental conditions. Time and motion data can be captured with a common stopwatch, a handheld computer or a video recorder. There are a number of dedicated software packages used to turn a palmtop or a handheld PC into a time study device. As an alternative, time and motion data can be collected automatically from the memory of computer-control machines (i.e. automated time studies).