Tata McGraw

Chapter 5A

Learning Curves

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OBJECTIVES
Underlying Principles of Learning Curves Learning Curve Example Types of Learning From Learning Curves to Performance Improvement

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Underlying Principles of Learning Curves

1. Each time you perform a task it takes less time than the last time you performed the same task 2. The extent of task time decreases over time 3. The reduction in time will follow a predictable pattern

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Example of a Learning Curve

Suppose you start a Suppose you start a term paper typing term paper typing business. You time business. You time yourself on the first yourself on the first paper, then the second, paper, then the second, and so on. and so on.

Term paper 1 2 3 4 5 6

Time (in Minutes) 100 90 84.62 81.00 78.30 76.16

Note that only 90 of Note that only 90 of 100 minutes are used 100 minutes are used in the second in the second repetition. This is an repetition. This is an example of a 90% example of a 90% learning curve. learning curve.

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Plotting the Learning Curve

All learning curves have this All learning curves have this downward sloping curve. downward sloping curve.
90 % Learning Curve 120 100 80 60 40 20 0 0 1000 2000 Unit 3000 4000 5000

Production Time(Minutes)

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Types of Learning

Individual Learning Improvement when individuals gain a skill or efficiency by repetition of a job Organizational Learning Improvement from the groups of individuals from repetition and changes in administration, equipment, and product design

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From Learning Curves to Performance Improvement (Part 1)

Proper selection of workers Proper training Motivation Work specialization Do one or very few jobs at a time

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From Learning Curves to Performance Improvement (Part 2)

Use tools or equipment that assists or supports performance Provide quick and easy access for help Allow workers to help redesign their tasks

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Question Bowl
Learning improvement that takes place when people repeat a process and gain skill or efficiency from their own experience can be characterized by which of following terms? Organizational learning Individual learning Knowledge learning All of the above None of the above

a. b. c. d. e.

Answer: b. Individual learning

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Question Bowl

The first time a student types up a 15 page term paper it takes 40 minutes. The second time the student types up a term paper it only takes 36 minutes. What unit improvement factor learning curve should be used in this example? a. 95% b. 0.4564 c. 90% d. 88% e. None of the above

Answer: c. 90% (36/40)

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Question Bowl

Use the Unit Improvement Factor table for this problem. If it takes 1 hour to complete the 1st repetition a job and a 75% learning curve applies to this situation, what is the expected time of the 40th repetition of this job? a. 0.2163 b. 20 minutes c. 12.978 minutes d. 40 minutes e. None of the above

Answer: c. 12.978 minutes (0.2163x60 minutes)

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Question Bowl

a. b. c. d. e.

Use the Unit Improvement Factor table for this problem. If it takes 20 minutes to perform a brake job on an automobile the 1st time and a 95% learning curve applies to this situation, what is the expected time of the 100th repetition of this job? 15.533 minutes 14.224 minutes 13.978 minutes 10 minutes Answer: None of the above

b. 14.224 minutes (0.7112x20 minutes)

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End of Chapter 5A