•

Tata McGraw

Chapter 5A

Learning Curves

• Underlying Principles of Learning Curves

• Learning Curve Example• Types of Learning• From Learning Curves to

Performance Improvement

OBJECTIVES

5A-3

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

5A-4

Example of a Learning Curve

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

Suppose you start a term paper typing business. You time yourself on the first paper, then the second, 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 100 minutes are used in the second repetition. This is an example of a 90% learning curve.

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

5A-5

Plotting the Learning Curve

All learning curves have this downward sloping curve.

All learning curves have this downward sloping curve.

90 % Learning Curve

020406080

100120

0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000

Unit

Pro

du

cti

on

T

ime

(Min

ute

s)

5A-6

Types of Learning

• Individual Learning

Improvement when individuals gain a skill or efficiency by repetition of a job

• Organizational LearningImprovement from the groups of individuals from repetition and changes in administration, equipment, and product design

5A-7

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

5A-8

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

5A-9

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?

a. Organizational learningb. Individual learningc. Knowledge learningd. All of the abovee. None of the above

Answer: b. Individual learning

5A-10

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. 0.4564c. 90%d. 88%e. None of the above Answer:

c. 90% (36/40)

5A-11

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. 0.2163b. 20 minutesc. 12.978 minutesd. 40 minutese. None of the above Answer:

c. 12.978 minutes(0.2163x60 minutes)

5A-12

Question Bowl

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?

a. 15.533 minutesb. 14.224 minutesc. 13.978 minutesd. 10 minutese. None of the above Answer:

b. 14.224 minutes(0.7112x20 minutes)

5A-13

End of Chapter 5A

5A-14