Method Study
Comprehensive Lecture Slides
Prepared by: Rajkeerthi E
Department of Manufacturing /
Industrial Engineering
Introduction to Method Study
• Method study is a systematic and scientific
approach used to analyze work processes and
improve productivity
• It involves recording existing methods,
critically examining them, and developing
better and more efficient ways of performing
tasks
• This technique is widely used in industrial
engineering and operations management to
Definition of Method Study
• Method study can be defined as the
systematic recording and critical examination
of existing and proposed methods of doing
work
• Its main objective is to develop and apply
easier and more effective methods, reduce
unnecessary motions, and ensure efficient
utilization of manpower, machines, and
materials in industries.
Objectives of Method Study
• The main objectives of method study include
increasing productivity, reducing operational
costs, improving quality of products, and
enhancing safety in the workplace
• It also aims to standardize work procedures,
minimize worker fatigue, and ensure better
utilization of equipment and resources in
production systems.
Importance of Method Study
• Method study plays a crucial role in improving
organizational efficiency by identifying
inefficient operations and eliminating waste
• It helps in improving plant layout, reducing
material handling, and ensuring smooth
workflow
• Organizations use method study to achieve
higher profitability and better competitiveness
in the market.
Work Study and Method Study
Relationship
• Work study consists of two main techniques:
method study and work measurement
• While method study focuses on improving
work methods, work measurement
determines the time required to perform a
task
• Together, they help in establishing standard
times and efficient production processes.
Steps in Method Study
• The method study procedure includes six main
steps: selecting the job or process, recording
the existing method, examining the recorded
facts, developing an improved method,
installing the new method, and maintaining
the method
• Each step is important for ensuring systematic
improvement and continuous development.
Selection of Work for Study
• The selection of work for method study is
based on factors such as high production cost,
bottleneck operations, repetitive tasks, and
safety-critical operations
• Jobs that have frequent delays, high labor
content, or quality issues are also selected for
study to improve efficiency.
Recording Techniques in Method
Study
• Recording techniques are used to document
existing methods in a systematic manner
• Common techniques include process charts,
flow process charts, flow diagrams, string
diagrams, and two-hand process charts
• These tools help in visualizing work processes
and identifying inefficiencies.
Process Chart Symbols
• Standard symbols are used in process charts
to represent different activities such as
operation, inspection, transportation, delay,
and storage
• These symbols help in simplifying complex
processes and making it easier to analyze and
improve the workflow in industrial systems.
Flow Process Chart
• A flow process chart provides a detailed
record of all operations, inspections,
transports, delays, and storage activities in a
process
• It is useful for analyzing the sequence of
operations and identifying unnecessary steps
that can be eliminated or simplified.
Flow Diagram and String Diagram
• Flow diagrams show the movement of
materials or workers on a layout, while string
diagrams measure the distance traveled using
a string
• These diagrams are helpful in improving plant
layout, reducing material handling costs, and
minimizing worker movement in industrial
environments.
Critical Examination Technique
• Critical examination involves questioning
every aspect of a job using questions such as
why, where, when, who, and how
• This technique helps in identifying
unnecessary activities, improving sequence of
operations, and developing more efficient
work methods.
Principles of Motion Economy
• Principles of motion economy aim to reduce
unnecessary motions and improve worker
efficiency
• They include using both hands effectively,
minimizing body movements, arranging tools
and materials conveniently, and using
mechanical aids to reduce manual effort and
fatigue.
Development of Improved Method
• After critical examination, an improved
method is developed by eliminating
unnecessary steps, combining operations,
rearranging sequences, and simplifying work
elements
• The new method should be practical,
economical, and acceptable to workers and
management.
Installation of New Method
• Installation involves implementing the
improved method in the workplace
• It includes training workers, modifying tools
and equipment, updating layouts, and
providing clear instructions
• Proper supervision is necessary to ensure
successful adoption of the new method.
Maintenance of Method
• Maintenance ensures that the improved
method continues to be followed
• It includes periodic reviews, audits, worker
feedback, and continuous improvement
initiatives
• Standard operating procedures should be
updated regularly to reflect changes in
processes and technology.
Advantages of Method Study
• Method study provides several advantages
such as increased productivity, reduced
operational costs, improved product quality,
better utilization of resources, and enhanced
worker safety
• It also improves morale by reducing fatigue
and making work easier and more systematic.
Limitations of Method Study
• Despite its benefits, method study has some
limitations such as resistance from workers,
high initial cost of implementation, and the
need for skilled analysts
• It may also require significant time and effort
to analyze complex processes in large
organizations.
Applications of Method Study
• Method study is widely applied in
manufacturing industries, service
organizations, hospitals, offices, and
construction projects
• It helps in improving production systems,
service delivery processes, and administrative
procedures to achieve higher efficiency and
effectiveness.
Conclusion
• Method study is a powerful tool in industrial
engineering that helps organizations achieve
continuous improvement
• By systematically analyzing and improving
work methods, organizations can reduce
waste, increase productivity, and achieve
sustainable growth in a competitive industrial
environment.

Method_Study_20_Slides_Long_Content.pptx

  • 1.
    Method Study Comprehensive LectureSlides Prepared by: Rajkeerthi E Department of Manufacturing / Industrial Engineering
  • 2.
    Introduction to MethodStudy • Method study is a systematic and scientific approach used to analyze work processes and improve productivity • It involves recording existing methods, critically examining them, and developing better and more efficient ways of performing tasks • This technique is widely used in industrial engineering and operations management to
  • 3.
    Definition of MethodStudy • Method study can be defined as the systematic recording and critical examination of existing and proposed methods of doing work • Its main objective is to develop and apply easier and more effective methods, reduce unnecessary motions, and ensure efficient utilization of manpower, machines, and materials in industries.
  • 4.
    Objectives of MethodStudy • The main objectives of method study include increasing productivity, reducing operational costs, improving quality of products, and enhancing safety in the workplace • It also aims to standardize work procedures, minimize worker fatigue, and ensure better utilization of equipment and resources in production systems.
  • 5.
    Importance of MethodStudy • Method study plays a crucial role in improving organizational efficiency by identifying inefficient operations and eliminating waste • It helps in improving plant layout, reducing material handling, and ensuring smooth workflow • Organizations use method study to achieve higher profitability and better competitiveness in the market.
  • 6.
    Work Study andMethod Study Relationship • Work study consists of two main techniques: method study and work measurement • While method study focuses on improving work methods, work measurement determines the time required to perform a task • Together, they help in establishing standard times and efficient production processes.
  • 7.
    Steps in MethodStudy • The method study procedure includes six main steps: selecting the job or process, recording the existing method, examining the recorded facts, developing an improved method, installing the new method, and maintaining the method • Each step is important for ensuring systematic improvement and continuous development.
  • 8.
    Selection of Workfor Study • The selection of work for method study is based on factors such as high production cost, bottleneck operations, repetitive tasks, and safety-critical operations • Jobs that have frequent delays, high labor content, or quality issues are also selected for study to improve efficiency.
  • 9.
    Recording Techniques inMethod Study • Recording techniques are used to document existing methods in a systematic manner • Common techniques include process charts, flow process charts, flow diagrams, string diagrams, and two-hand process charts • These tools help in visualizing work processes and identifying inefficiencies.
  • 10.
    Process Chart Symbols •Standard symbols are used in process charts to represent different activities such as operation, inspection, transportation, delay, and storage • These symbols help in simplifying complex processes and making it easier to analyze and improve the workflow in industrial systems.
  • 11.
    Flow Process Chart •A flow process chart provides a detailed record of all operations, inspections, transports, delays, and storage activities in a process • It is useful for analyzing the sequence of operations and identifying unnecessary steps that can be eliminated or simplified.
  • 12.
    Flow Diagram andString Diagram • Flow diagrams show the movement of materials or workers on a layout, while string diagrams measure the distance traveled using a string • These diagrams are helpful in improving plant layout, reducing material handling costs, and minimizing worker movement in industrial environments.
  • 13.
    Critical Examination Technique •Critical examination involves questioning every aspect of a job using questions such as why, where, when, who, and how • This technique helps in identifying unnecessary activities, improving sequence of operations, and developing more efficient work methods.
  • 14.
    Principles of MotionEconomy • Principles of motion economy aim to reduce unnecessary motions and improve worker efficiency • They include using both hands effectively, minimizing body movements, arranging tools and materials conveniently, and using mechanical aids to reduce manual effort and fatigue.
  • 15.
    Development of ImprovedMethod • After critical examination, an improved method is developed by eliminating unnecessary steps, combining operations, rearranging sequences, and simplifying work elements • The new method should be practical, economical, and acceptable to workers and management.
  • 16.
    Installation of NewMethod • Installation involves implementing the improved method in the workplace • It includes training workers, modifying tools and equipment, updating layouts, and providing clear instructions • Proper supervision is necessary to ensure successful adoption of the new method.
  • 17.
    Maintenance of Method •Maintenance ensures that the improved method continues to be followed • It includes periodic reviews, audits, worker feedback, and continuous improvement initiatives • Standard operating procedures should be updated regularly to reflect changes in processes and technology.
  • 18.
    Advantages of MethodStudy • Method study provides several advantages such as increased productivity, reduced operational costs, improved product quality, better utilization of resources, and enhanced worker safety • It also improves morale by reducing fatigue and making work easier and more systematic.
  • 19.
    Limitations of MethodStudy • Despite its benefits, method study has some limitations such as resistance from workers, high initial cost of implementation, and the need for skilled analysts • It may also require significant time and effort to analyze complex processes in large organizations.
  • 20.
    Applications of MethodStudy • Method study is widely applied in manufacturing industries, service organizations, hospitals, offices, and construction projects • It helps in improving production systems, service delivery processes, and administrative procedures to achieve higher efficiency and effectiveness.
  • 21.
    Conclusion • Method studyis a powerful tool in industrial engineering that helps organizations achieve continuous improvement • By systematically analyzing and improving work methods, organizations can reduce waste, increase productivity, and achieve sustainable growth in a competitive industrial environment.