The document discusses method study, which involves systematically recording and critically examining work processes to develop more effective methods. It aims to improve efficiency through optimized layouts, work procedures, resource utilization and product design. The objectives are to analyze the true situation facts critically and develop the best possible solution. Key steps involve selecting jobs for study, recording all facts, examining alternatives to simplify or change the process, developing an improved method, defining the new method and maintaining it.

1. “Method study 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.”
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2. OBJECTIVES OF METHOD STUDY
It is concerned with finding better ways of doing things.
 The improvement in efficiency is achieved through:
1. Improved layout and design of workplace
2. Improved and efficient work procedures
3. Effective utilization of men, machines and materials,
4. Improved design or specification of the final product,
 The objectives of method study techniques are:
1. To present and analyze true facts concerning the situation,
2. To examine those facts critically,
3. To develop the best answer possible under given circumstances based on
critical examination of facts.
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3. STEPS INVOLVED IN METHOD STUDY
• Work Which Can Be Studied With Economic
Advantage.Select
• All Facts About The Job/OperationRecord
• The Facts Critically Seek Alternatives, Simplify,
Eliminate, Combine Or Change.Examine
• A Record Of An Improved Method Under
Prevailing Conditions. Re-examine And Select
Best Method
Develop
• Method, Procedure, Layout, Equipment, Working
Conditions, Materials, Quality Instructions.Define
• The Improved Method, Plan Arrange And
Implement.Install
• Verify At Regular Intervals That The Improved
Method Is In Use.Maintain
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4. SELECT
The selection of job based on following considerations
1) Economic Aspects
Guidelines for selection of job
1. Bottleneck operations,
2. Operations involving excessive labour,
3. Operations producing lot of scrap or defectives,
4. Operations having poor utilization of resources,
5. Backtracking of materials and excessive movement of material.
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5. 2) Technical Aspects
1. Job having inconsistent quality,
2. Operations generating lot of scraps,
3. Frequent complaints from workers regarding the job.
3) Human Considerations
1. Workers complaining about unnecessary and tiring work,
2. More frequency of accidents,
3. Inconsistent earnings.
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6. RECORDING TECHNIQUES
Graphical method of recording was originated by Gilberth.
Method Study symbols:-
OPERATION -
INSPECTION -
TRANSPORTATION -
DELAY -
STORAGE -
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7. 1. Operation
An operation occurs when an object is intentionally changed in one
or more of its characteristics (physical or chemical).
e.g. Turning, drilling, milling, chemical reaction, welding, lifting, loading,
unloading, getting instructions etc.
2. Inspection
An inspection occurs when an object is examined and compared
with standard for quality and quantity.
e.g. Visual inspection, counting material, checking dimensions etc.
3. Transportation
Movement of materials, workers or equipment from one place to
another.
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8. 4. Delay
A delay occurs when the immediate performance of the next planned
thing does not take place
e.g. Waiting between two consecutive works, waiting for instructions etc.
5. Storage
A storage occurs when the object is kept in an authorized custody and is
protected against unauthorized removal.
e.g. Material kept in stores.
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9. Recording
techniques
Charts
Operation
process chart
Flow process
chart
Man type
Material type
Equipment typeMultiple
activity chart
Two handed
process chart
Travel chart
SIMO chart
Diagrams
Flow & string
diagrams
Cycle graph &
Chrono cycle
graphTemplates and
models
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10. 1. Charts
The following information should be given in the chart:
a) Adequate description of the activities
b) Whether the charting is for present or proposed method
c) Specific reference to when the activities will begin and end
d) Time and distance scales used wherever necessary
e) The date of charting and the name of the person who does charting.
1. Operation Process chart
It is also called outline process chart. Operation process chart uses only
two symbols i.e. operation and inspection.
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11. e.g. operation process chart for hexagonal headed bolt and nut
3
2
1
1
2
7
6
5
4
3
NUT
30 mm Hex. Bar
BOLT
30 mm Hex. Bar
0.1 0.1
0.7 0.12
0.25
0.2
0.2
0.3
0.2
0.1
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12. 2. Flow Process Chart
Flow process chart gives the sequence of flow of work of a
product, or any part of it through the work centre or the department
recording the events using appropriate symbols.
In flow process chart operation, inspection, storage, delay
and transportation symbols are used.
Flow process charts are of three types:
1. Material type
2. Man type
3. Equipment type
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13. The flow process chart is useful:
 To reduce the distance travelled by men or material
 To avoid waiting time and unnecessary delays
 To reduce the cycle time by combining or eliminating operations
To fix up the sequence of operations
 To relocate the inspection stages.
Flow process chart (Man type).jpg
Flow process chart (Material type).jpg
Flow process chart (Man and material type).jpg
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14. 3. Two Handed Process Chart
This chart consist of two charts, one for the left hand and
other for the right hand.
This helps to analyze what left hand will be doing when
right hand is working or vice versa at any point of time.
LAYOUT
BOLTS NUTS
OPERATOR
ASSEMBLY
Two Handed Process
Chart.jpg
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15. 4. Multiple Activity Chart
It is a chart where activities of more than subject (worker or
equipment) are each recorded on a common time scale to show their
inter-relationship.
This chart is made to:
• Study idle time of the man and machines
• Determine number of machines handled by one operator
Determine number of operators required in teamwork to perform
the given job.
Two symbols are used in this chart – One presenting
working and other idle.
Working Idle
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16. It is useful in:
• Reducing idle time of machines and operators.
• Combine or eliminate some of the operations.
• It helps to explore ways to increase utilisation of men and
machines.
Multiple activity chart.jpg
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17. Diagrams
To record congestion, back tracking and unnecessary long movements
and representation of the working area in the form of flow diagram.
String diagrams are used for:
1. To study the different layout plans and selecting most optimal layout.
2. To study traffic and frequency over different routes of the plant.
3. Identification of back tracking and obstacles during movements.
Diagrams are of two types:
1. Flow diagram
2. String diagram
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18. Flow Diagram
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19. String Diagram
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20. Micro Motion Study
• Short cycle operations (Packing of food item in boxes, putting
things in store) which are repeated 1000s time are investigated for
waste movements and efforts if any by micro motion study (MMS)
techniques.
• So as to develop best possible pattern of movement in order to
reduce fatigue and time of operator.
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21. Advantages of Micro-Motion Study
 Provides greater details about activity than eye observation.
 provides greater accuracy than paper, pencil and watch
techniques.
 More convenient and provide positive record.
 Training of worker on modified methods.
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22. Philosophy of micro motion study
• It is based on the idea of dividing the human activities into division of
movement or group of movements known as therbligs.
• These divisions were devised by Mr. F. Gilbreth.
• He devised 17 fundamental movements of hands and eyes and subsequently
one more was added.
Therbligs.jpg
Additional Therbligs are
Avoidable delay AD Lemon yellow
Plan Pn Brown
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23. Use of Therbligs
 Therbligs allow more precise and detailed description of work
than any other method described so far.
 This technique is good for experts.
Micro-Motion study involves the following steps:
1. Filming the operation,
2. Analysis of the data from the films,
3. Making recording of the data,
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24. SIMO (Simultaneous Motion) Chart
 It is a recording technique for micro-motion study.
 A SIMO chart is prepared after analyzing the films and used
to record Therbligs or group of Therbligs performed by different
parts of body of one or more workers on a common time scale.
 A SIMO chart is another Left-Hand, Right-Hand chart with
the difference that it is drawn to time scale using Therbligs.
SIMO chart.jpg
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25. Memo Motion Study
 Memo motion photography is a form of time lapsed photography
which records activity by the use of cine camera.
 Pictures are taken at longer time of intervals (normally lies
between ½ to 4 sec.)
 An electric time lapse unit is attached to the cine camera to set
the interval of time between ½ to 4 seconds.
 A camera is placed with a view over the whole working area to
take the pictures.
 Pictures are taken at the rate of one or two per second, so that
activities of 10 or 20 minutes may be compressed into one minute.
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26. Cycle Graph
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27. Chrono-cycle Graph
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28. Critical Examination
• Critical examination of the information recorded about the
process in charts / diagrams is the most important phase of the
method study.
• In which, each element of the work as recorded on the chart is
subjected to a systematic and progressive series of questions
with the purpose of determining reasons for which it is done
and also to find possible alternatives.
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29. Critical Examination is achieved by means of two sets of detailed
questions:
1. Primary questions
2. Secondary questions to indicate the alternatives and consequently the
means of improvements.
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30. Alternatives Primary question Secondary question
Purpose What is done? Why it is done? What else could be
done? What should be
done?
Means How it is done? Why that
way?
How else could it be?
How should it done?
Sequence When it is done? And why
then?
When else it could be?
When should it be
done?
Place Where it is done? And why
there?
Where else could be?
Where should it be
done?
Person Who does it? And why that
person?
Who else could do it?
Who should do this?
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31. Development and Selection of New Method
Critical examination gives rise to number of creative ideas, but all
ideas are not practicable.
Steps in development and selection:
1. Evaluation
2. Investigation
3. Selection
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