FREQUENTLY ASKEDQUESTIONS

In simple terms, Time & Motion, is a business efficiency technique which looks at developing methods and times for tasks and processes.  The value of organisations realising consistent times is that it allows a true insight into how long each task/ process takes in your operation.

The two major benefits of Time & Motion are:

– It can help to identify potential flaws in a process;
– If an organisation wishes to fulfill an order/ complete a task, they will know a precise time for how long it should take.

A Direct Observational Time Study is a study of the processes that an organisation undertakes. This can be anything from simple scanning at a checkout to building a complicated product. It can be as complex, or as simple, as you like.

During a DOTS, as it is totally process based, the speed of the operator carrying out the task can vary, often dependent on experience & training. However, to standardise the amount of time each process takes, so that a true reflection of the study is gained, a performance pace rating is applied. In order to make sure that the performance rating is correct, our analysts attend and have to pass regular Pace Rating Clinics.

The beauty of a DOTS, as with all Industrial Engineering techniques, is that it can be applied to any process that you may wish to study.

A Rated Activity Sample, sometimes referred to as a work sample, is a means of determining the proportion of time workers spend doing tasks and can help regulate staffing levels and/or customer/product flow.

A RAS will usually be carried out throughout a working day, inputting the tasks that are being carried out by each member of staff at regular intervals, typically, every 5 or 10 minutes.

The tasks carried out are normally split into 3 distinct areas for closer examination; this process is referred to as Value Analysis.

The International Labour Office – (ILO) defines PMTS as: “Advanced techniques which aim at defining the time needed for the performance of various operations by derivation from
pre-set standards of time for various motions and not by direct observation and measurement”

Basically: PMTS is the application of pre-determined times to all basic movements carried out by a person in order to perform a task/ set of tasks.

PMTS are extremely valuable in Work Measurement, but it is more correct to define them more broadly as techniques of Methods Engineering, since it is in the inherent relationship which they specify between Method and Time that they are most valuable.

PSL offer a number of different training courses designed to help people from a range of backgrounds, from those just starting out as Industrial Engineers to experienced professionals who just need a refresher. Here are just some that we deliver…

Work Quantification – A 5 Day, practical course, designed to enable attendees to accurately determine the times required to carry out tasks and processes at a defined rate of work. This course includes Time Studies, Rated Activity Sampling and Pace Rating skills.

Process Analysis – A 5 Day course designed to teach Problem Solving, Charting, Recording and Basic Lean Techniques. This course is designed for delegates wishing to become Industrial
Engineers.

Pace Rating Clinic – A Pace Rating Clinic is top up course for those already qualified. It is a certificate required yearly for those who wish to carry out an accurate work study. The clinic tests the participants’ ability to identify the correct performance rating from specially selected footage. Once passed, the participant will receive a widely recognised certificate which shows tangible evidence for any future employer.

Productivity Awareness – These courses are provided for people interested in the subject, but do not intend to become professional Industrial Engineers and range from A Half Day Appreciation through to a 3 Day Insight.

Other courses are offered through our partners, these include:

MTM training – http://www.ukmtm.co.uk/
Lean Six Sigma training – https://www.claudius-consulting.co.uk/