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Work Study Definition

1) Work study may be defined as the analysis of a job for the purpose of finding the preferred
method of doing it and also determining the standard time to perform it by two areas of study-
method study (motion study) and time study (work measurement).

2) “Work study is defined as that body of knowledge concerned with the analysis of the work
methods and the equipment used in performing a job, the design of an optimum work method
and the standardization of proposed work methods.”

Why work-study:
1) To eliminate wastage of time and labor.
2) To reduce fatigue and boredom of work by avoiding unnecessary
movements.
3) To find a best way of doing a job.
4) To have more utilization of materials, machines and workers.
5) To improve the design of work place layout.
6) To train the individual operator in its practice as per standardized methods.

Advantages of work-study
1) Uniform and improved production flow
2) Higher productive efficiency
3) Reduced manufacturing costs
4) Fast and accurate delivery dates
5) Better employee-employer relations
6) Better service to customers
7) Job security and job satisfaction
8) Better working and other conditions
9) Higher wages to workers
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History of Work Study:

Life Span Name Description of Work

(1841-1925) Henry Fayol French mining engineer, Principles of organization

(1853-1900) Harrington Emerson American efficiency engineer and business theorist, He

studied subject of productivity and wages,
(1856- 1915) Frederick Winslow American mechanical engineer, Father of Scientific
Taylor Management, Sequence, Basic Time, Effective method
Loading Pig iron, Shoveling etc.
(1861- 1919) Henry Laurence Gantt The assistant of Taylor, Gantt chart, incentive payment.
Humanist policies for employees, Importance of
leadership, Human factor in work
(1868-1924) Frank Bunker Gilbreth American engineer, consultant, Motion studies are
Sr. & Lillian Gilbreth belong to them Their activities cover a wide range.
Inventions and improvements in building and
construction work, fatigue, monotony, transfer of skill,
development of such techniques as the process chart,
micromotion study, and chronocyclegragh.
(1900)-1984) Ralph Mosser Barnes American industrial engineer and the first professor of
Industrial Engineering who was studying on work
measurements.
(1916-1996) Marvin Everett Mundel Work measurement , to simplify the tools

Role of Work Study in Improving Productivity

In order to understand the role of work study, we need to understand the role of method study
and that of time study.

Method Study
To simplify the job & develop more
economical methods
of doing it

Work
Study

Work Measurement
To determine how long it should take it to
carry out

Higher Productivity
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Definition of ‘Work Simplification’ or ‘Method study’ or Work Method Design: is the

systematic recording and critical examination of existing and proposed ways of doing work as a
means of developing and applying easier, and more effective, methods, and reducing costs.

It is mostly used to improve existing method of doing work although it is equally well
applicable to new jobs. When applied to existing jobs, method study aims to find better methods
of doing the jobs that are economical and safe, require less human effort, and need shorter make-
ready / put-away time. The better method involves the optimum use of best materials and
appropriate manpower so that work is performed in well, organized manner leading to
utilization, better quality and lower costs.

Advantages of Method study

1) Improved working and standardized procedures.
2) Better work place layout
3) Less fatigue to operators.
4) Better product quality
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5) Effective utilization of men, material & machinery

6) Efficient and fast material handling.
7) Reduced health hazards
8) Efficient planning of the section
9) Streamlined working procedures

Work Study

Work Simplification Work Measurement

Select Select

Record Record

Examine Examine
Evaluate
Develop Measure

Install Define

Maintain

Higher Productivity
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