Work measurement is a quality process determining how long it takes to do a task under regular working conditions. It is commonly used in business to enhance work efficiency , reduce time wasted , and create reasonable correctness standards for performance.
Businesses could enhance their productivity as well as employee satisfaction through the use of various work measurement procedures. This process is crucial in bringing in workforce planning, labor cost containment, and operational efficiency .
Let’s uncover how work measurement is powerful that can transform the way work gets done.
Work measurement analyses tasks to find the standard time needed to finish them using a standard procedure under typical situations.
The primary purpose of work measurement is to set up time standards to control performance, better define planning, and have a basis of fairness in workload distribution . It delivers a fact-based framework for scheduling, budgeting, and workforce management.
According to a study by McKinsey, companies that actively measure and optimize workflows see up to 25% gains in workforce productivity .
Here are the main objectives of work measurement, which include:
According to data- “Organizations have seen as much as a 30% increase in productivity and 25–30% reduction in operational costs by applying process optimization and continuous improvement techniques.”
There are several ways to identify the commonly used work measurement methods, depending on their job. Below are the primary techniques used across industries:
A trained analyst uses a stopwatch to measure how long it takes to complete a task. This method works best for simple, repetitive jobs in factories or production settings.
It is achieved using predefined time values for the elementary movements, like reach, move, or assemble. A prominent example of a PMTS is Method Time Measurement (MTM). It is very accurate and great to use during manual and physical jobs where consistency is the key.
Random work samples are observed and recorded to estimate the time spent on different activities. It is less expensive and recommended for non-repeating jobs like maintenance and supervisory.
This method uses previous analysis or job study to provide the source of the time values. It is effective for the same type of task and does not waste time on direct observation for faster implementation.
The synthesis method implies the creation of standard times based on observed facts about basic elements of work. This method is especially useful when direct observation is difficult, such as in complex or indirect activities.
Deloitte found that organizations that closely track employee task time — using techniques like stopwatch studies or time-data analysis — can reduce hourly labor costs by 0.5% to 2%.
This helps improve pricing accuracy and reduce unnecessary expenses.
Follow this step-by-step process to implement work measurement in any organization successfully:
First, determine what task or process you want to measure. Choose the most frequent and productive jobs.
Divide the task assignment into smaller segments or parts. Separating elements allows time to be recorded accurately, and time spent can be pinpointed for improvement.
Pick those work measurement methods relevant to the type of job. Put time study in for all work of repetition. For non-repetitive or non-homogeneous work, use work sampling or PMTS.
Make detailed timings. Do this in real time or from records to determine how long the key component of the task takes.
To regulate time of sighting in regard to the efficiency and permittances of fatigue , reliefs and delays. It provides the baseline time you will have to perform the function.
Apply the established standard time for planning, workforce estimation, and evaluation. Review regularly and adjust as processes and conditions change.
To avoid common mistakes and ensure effective and constructive work measurement:
