measuring output rates -...
TRANSCRIPT
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
621
Supplement
H
Measuring Output Rates
TRUE/FALSE
1. A work standard is the time required for a trained worker to perform a task following a prescribed
method with normal effort and skill. Answer: True Reference: Introduction Difficulty: Easy Keywords: work, standard
2. Work measurement is the process of creating labor standards based on the judgment of skilled
observers. Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Easy Keywords: work, measurement, labor, standard
3. A time study is the method most often used for setting time standards for a job.
Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: study, time, standards
4. The select time is the average observed time based only on representative times.
Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: select, time
5. The snap-back method of time study resets the stopwatch to zero on the completion of each work
element. Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: snap-back, method, time, study
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
622
6. The standard time for a work element is found by multiplying the select time by a performance-rating
factor. Answer: False Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: standard, time, work, element
7. The performance-rating factor in a time study is a totally objective measure.
Answer: False Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: performance, rating, factor
8. Fatigue, rest, or unavoidable delays are factored into a work standard by the performance-rating
factor. Answer: False Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: allowance, time
9. The normal time adjusts the select time by the regularity of occurrence and a performance rating
factor. Answer: False Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: allowance, time, normal, frequency
10. Time studies are appropriate for setting time standards for tasks that are different each time.
Answer: False Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: time, study, standards
11. Elemental standard time data can help managers develop time standards for new work before
production begins. Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: elemental, standard, time
12. The methods time measurement system is a predetermined data system.
Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: MTM, methods, time, measurement
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
623
13. The predetermined data approach eliminates the need for time studies.
Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: predetermined, data, approach, time, studies
14. A predetermined data approach to time standards can be completed before actual production begins.
Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: methods, time, measurement, predetermined
15. The methods time measurement approach assumes that a sequence of motions will take the same
amount of time regardless of the order in which they are performed. Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: methods, time, measurement
16. Work sampling can be used to estimate the proportion of time spent by people or machines on
activities. Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, sampling, proportion
17. When using work sampling, the times of day when the analyst collects the sample data should be
selected at random over the length of the study. Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, sampling, data
18. The more frequently the activity occurs, the longer the time period should be when conducting a work
sampling study. Answer: False Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, sampling, frequency
19. Special training is required for observers using work sampling.
Answer: False Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, sampling
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
624
20. As the sample size increases in a work sampling study, the maximum error decreases.
Answer: True Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sample, size, maximum, error
21. Traditional work measurement techniques often are viewed as repressive.
Answer: True Reference: Managerial Considerations in Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, measurement
MULTIPLE CHOICE
22. Which of these drawbacks would be considered a hidden cost of work standards?
a. Assigning tasks to workers and machines to utilize resources. b. Increased conflict between labor and management.
c. Ability to compare alternative process designs.
d. Determination of current and projected capacity requirements. Answer: b
Reference: Work Standards
Difficulty: Easy Keywords: work, standards, cost
23. Work standards would NOT be helpful for management in which area? a. Developing costs for current and new products.
b. Determining current and projected capacity requirements for a given demand.
c. Comparing different routings for an item and evaluating new work methods and equipment. d. Forecasting demand for current products.
Answer: d
Reference: Work Standards Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: work, standards
24. When a work analyst needs a high degree of precision in comparing actual work method results to
standard, the best method to use would be:
a. a stopwatch study. b. work sampling.
c. the elemental standard data approach.
d. the historical data approach. Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: stopwatch, study
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
625
25. The method used most often for setting time standards for a job is: a. the elemental standard data approach.
b. the time study method.
c. the predetermined data approach. d. the work sampling method.
Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: stopwatch, study
26. Timing the work elements using the snap-back method requires:
a. the worker to perform each job element as quickly as possible.
b. a larger sample size than using the continuous method. c. the use of two stopwatches.
d. a smaller sample size than using the continuous method.
Answer: c Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: stopwatch, study, snap-back
27. The continuous method of timing work elements:
a. is more accurate than the snap-back method. b. is best combined with the work sampling method.
c. will always result in increasing recorded times for successive work elements.
d. requires a greater sample size than the snap-back method. Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: stopwatch, study, continuous
28. Garman observes a worker assembling peanut valves and records the data displayed in the table. What is the select time for this job element if the worker is rated at 80%?
Time (seconds) Observations
20 15
25 12
30 12
a. 15 seconds
b. 20 seconds c. 25 seconds
d. 30 seconds
Answer: c Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: stopwatch, study, select, time
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
626
29. Garman observes a worker assembling peanut valves and records the data displayed in the table. During one of the cycles, the worker knocked the shaft out of the fixture and had to realign the
fixtures. What is the select time for this job element if the worker is rated at 80%?
Time (seconds) Observations
20 15
25 12
30 12
240 1
a. Less than 23 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 23 seconds but less than 26 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 26 seconds but less than 29 seconds d. Greater than or equal to 29 seconds
Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: stopwatch, study, select, time
30. Keith assembles peanut valves and the recorded data is displayed in the table. What is the select time
for this job element if he is rated at 75%?
Time (minutes) Observations
2.5 15
3.0 23
3.5 27
a. Greater than or equal to 3 minutes
b. Less than 3 minutes but greater than or equal to 2.7 minutes
c. Less than 2.7 minutes but greater than or equal to 2.4 minutes d. Less than 2.4 minutes
Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Easy
Keywords: stopwatch, study, select, time
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
627
31. Keith assembles peanut valves and the recorded data is displayed in the table. During one of the cycles, he pauses to answer a phone call from his friend who suggests that he seek employment
elsewhere. Keith fields calls with some regularity, but that’s not considered part of his routine job
responsibilities. What is the select time for this job element if Keith is rated at 75%?
Time (minutes) Observations
2.5 15
3.0 23
3.5 25
10 1
a. Greater than or equal to 3.2 minutes
b. Less than 3.2 minutes but greater than or equal to 2.8 minutes c. Less than 2.8 minutes but greater than or equal to 2.4 minutes
d. Less than 2.4 minutes
Answer: b Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: stopwatch, study, select, time
32. Which one of the following statements about work-measurement methods is TRUE?
a. The two methods of using a stopwatch in time studies are historical and snap-back. b. The time-study method is usually used for less-repetitive work with no definite work cycle.
c. With the time-study method, the analyst assigns a performance rating factor (RF) to the work’s
performance. A value of RF greater than 1 means the worker is slower than a standard worker. d. The work-sampling method needs many observations.
Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: measurement, methods, sampling
33. Which one of the following statements about the time-study method is TRUE?
a. It is most appropriate for “thinking” jobs such as an automobile mechanic’s diagnosis of a problem.
b. It is used most often for setting time standards. c. Using the time-study method technique, time standards can be set for new jobs before production
begins.
d. Performance ratings are not needed in the derivation of time standards. Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: time, study, standards
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
628
34. Which one of the following statements about work measurement is TRUE? a. Work sampling is a technique to determine the proportion of time spent on different activities.
b. In determining the normal time for the cycle, using a rating factor less than one (1.0) will increase
the total time allowed for a job to be performed, relative to the select time. c. Machine standards are more difficult to develop than labor standards.
d. The time-study method is most appropriate for non-repetitive jobs in which the nature of the task
differs each time. Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, measurement, sampling
35. A time-study analyst is attempting to determine the standard time for a work element. She or he observes a worker performing the work element at a higher-than-average pace. How will this fact be
reflected in the time standard that is eventually created?
a. The frequency of the work element per cycle will be increased. b. The proportion of allowance time will be increased above 1.0.
c. The performance rating factor will be set greater than 1.0.
d. The normal time for the work element will be increased. Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: performance, rating
36. A manager is interested in setting a time standard for a machining operation. Which one of the following is LEAST likely to be of use?
a. Time-study method
b. Elemental standard data approach c. Predetermined data approach
d. Work sampling method
Answer: d Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: work, sampling
37. With a time-study approach, the: a. nature of the task can be different with each replication, and the standards will still be good.
b. skill of the observer is not very important.
c. sample size is a function of the desired precision of the time estimate. d. sample size is typically larger than required for the work sampling approach.
Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: time, study, sample, size, precision
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
629
38. When using a time-study approach, the standard time is: a. the normal time per cycle multiplied by 1.0 plus the allowance.
b. the select time multiplied by the rating factor, summed over all work elements.
c. the select time plus z times the standard deviation. d. the normal time plus z times the standard deviation.
Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: time, study, standard
39. An analyst using a time-study approach:
a. observes the worker at random times, categorizing what he or she is doing at that time.
b. must rate the performance of the worker on each element of the total task. c. divides the total task into micro-motions such as “reach” and “grasp” and then times the worker on
each one.
d. should use all observations in determining the standard, regardless of how irregular they might be, to be fair to the worker.
Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: time, study, performance, rating
40. An advantage of the elemental standard data approach is that there is:
a. a reduction in the number of time studies needed.
b. no need to estimate allowances. c. no need to use time-study methods.
d. no need to estimate the variable characteristics of jobs.
Answer: a Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: elemental, standard, data
41. With the use of the elemental standard data approach:
a. there is no need to estimate allowances. b. managers can develop standards for new work before production begins.
c. time studies are not needed. d. the need to specify job variables that affect times for each work element is eliminated.
Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: elemental, standard, data
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
630
42. The advantage of using the predetermined-data approach for setting standards is that: a. it allows the setting of standards for a new job before production begins.
b. the predetermined data are representative of all workers, without question.
c. it does not require any special training to use it. d. it can be used on jobs in which the times to perform the micro-motions are sequence dependent.
Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: predetermined, data, standards
43. Which of the following is not an advantage of the predetermined-data approach to work
measurement?
a. Standards can be set before production begins. b. New work methods can be compared without conducting a time study.
c. Performance ratings are not needed to derive standards.
d. The approach is particularly applicable to firms with a flexible flow strategy. Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: predetermined, data
44. Which work-measurement technique breaks down tasks into a series of generic micro-motions? a. Time-study method
b. Elemental standard data approach
c. Predetermined-data approach d. Work-sampling method
Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: micro-motion, work, measurement
45. With the use of the methods time measurement approach:
a. stopwatches are needed to time the elements that go together to make a task.
b. there is a problem of biased judgment because performance ratings are needed to derive standards. c. work must be broken down into micro-motions.
d. an analyst consults tables that contain the select times for a variety of work elements. Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: methods, time, management, micro-motions
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
631
46. Which of the following is TRUE regarding the MTM approach? a. A performance rating factor greater than 1.0 means the worker under observation is working
slowly.
b. A frequency of less than 1.0 means that the job element is not performed during every cycle. c. A performance rating factor less than 1.0 means the worker under observation is not producing
output that has high quality.
d. A negative allowance time means that the worker under observation is taking excessive breaks. Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Easy Keywords: methods, time, measurement, MTM, frequency
47. When using the MTM approach: a. stopwatches are needed to time the elements that go together to make a task.
b. there is a problem of biased judgment because performance ratings are needed to derive standards.
c. an analyst consults tables that contain the select times for a variety of work elements. d. new work methods can be compared without conducting a time study.
Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: methods, time, measurement, MTM
48. When using a work-sampling study:
a. the underlying assumption is that the proportion of time during which the activity is observed in the
sample will be the proportion of time spent on the activity in general. b. the underlying assumption is that small samples of an activity can provide accurate measures of
time spent on the activity.
c. an advantage is that the study can normally be concluded in a day or less. d. the analyst must be highly trained in statistical observation.
Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: work, sampling, proportion
49. Work sampling is most often used in situations in which:
a. a time standard is needed for a repetitive job. b. an estimate of the proportion of the time spent on a particular activity is needed.
c. it is important to keep the sample size down.
d. special training is required for the observer, and stopwatches must be used. Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, sampling
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
632
50. Work sampling is one method of work measurement. A major disadvantage of this method is that: a. observers must be specially trained.
b. only one study can be conducted at a time.
c. it can be used only in hospital settings. d. a large number of observations are often required.
Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: work, sampling
51. During a time study, the following times were observed for a particular job using the continuous
(non-snapback) method: 22, 51, 72, 98, 128, and 150 seconds. There is only one element per cycle.
The sample standard deviation of the observed times has already been computed as 3.9 seconds. If an estimate for the average time that is within 4 percent of the true long-range average 95 percent of the
time is desired, how many additional observations are needed?
a. Fewer than or equal to 40 b. Greater than 40 but fewer than or equal to 55
c. Greater than 55 but fewer than or equal to 70
d. Greater than 70 Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sample, size, stopwatch
52. An industrial engineer is conducting a time study for a work element. The select time is 7.5 minutes, and the sample standard deviation of the observed time is one minute. What is the appropriate sample
size if the estimate is to be 3 percent of the true average time 95 percent of the time?
a. Fewer than or equal to 70 b. Greater than 70 but fewer than or equal to 80
c. Greater than 80 but fewer than or equal to 90
d. Greater than 90 Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sample, size, time study
53. An industrial engineer is conducting a time study for a work element. The select time is 4.5 minutes,
and the sample standard deviation of the observed time is 20 seconds. What is the appropriate sample
size if the estimate is to be 5 percent of the true average time 95 percent of the time? a. Fewer than or equal to seven
b. Greater than seven but fewer than or equal to eight
c. Greater than eight but fewer than or equal to nine d. Greater than nine
Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: sample, size, time study
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
633
54. A worker was observed for four cycles of a repetitive task. The observer used the continuous method for recording the times. The continuous times (in seconds) for each element are:
Which one of the following are the “select times” ( t ) for each element? The first number is the
select time for the first element, the second number is the select time for the second element, and so on.
a. 19.5, 23, 25, 30
b. 1.5, 3.5, 5, 2 c. 2, 3, 2, 5
d. 1.5, 3.5, 2, 5
Answer: d Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: select, time
55. A time-study analyst is determining the standard time for a work element. The select time is 6.0
minutes, and the standard deviation of the select time is 2.2 minutes, based on a pilot sample of 20 observations. What is the appropriate sample size if the estimate for the select time is to be within 10
percent of the true average time 95 percent of the time?
a. Fewer than 30 observations b. Greater than or equal to 30 observations but fewer than 40 observations
c. Greater than or equal to 40 observations but fewer than or equal to 50 observations
d. Greater than or equal to 50 observations Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sample, size
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
634
56. Use the information in Table H.1. What is the select time for work element 3?
a. Fewer than 12 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 12 seconds but fewer than 13 seconds c. Greater than or equal to 13 seconds but fewer than or equal to 14 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 14 seconds
Answer: c Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: select, time, element
57. Use the information in Table H.1. Assuming that work element 4 receives a performance-rating factor
of 1.2 and is performed once per cycle, what is the normal time for this work element? a. Fewer than 10 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 10 seconds but fewer than 11 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 11 seconds but fewer than 12 seconds d. Greater than or equal to 12 seconds
Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: normal, time, rating
58. Use the information in Table H.1. Work element 1 receives a performance-rating factor of 1.4 and is
performed every other cycle. If the company uses an allowance time of 15 percent, what is the standard time for this work element?
a. Fewer than 12 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 12 seconds but fewer than 13 seconds c. Greater than or equal to 13 seconds but fewer than 14 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 14 seconds
Answer: c Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: standard, time, allowance
Table H.1 A worker was observed for four cycles in a repetitive task that contains four distinct elements. The observer recorded the following items in seconds, using the continuous method.
Element Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 1 12 66 111 168 2 21 75 122 185 3 37 86 133 200 4 53 89 146 209
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
635
59. Use the information in Table H.1. What is the select time for work element 2? a. Fewer than 12 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 12 seconds but fewer than 13 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 13 seconds but fewer than or equal to 14 seconds d. Greater than or equal to 14 seconds
Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: select, time, element
60. Use the information in Table H.1. Assume that work element 1 receives a performance-rating factor
of 1.1 and all other elements receive a rating of 1.2. If work elements 1 and 3 are performed every
other cycle, and elements 2 and 4 are performed every cycle, what is the normal time for the complete cycle?
a. Fewer than 45 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 45 seconds but fewer than 48 seconds c. Greater than or equal to 48 seconds but fewer than 51 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 51 seconds
Answer: a Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: normal, time, rating, cycle
61. Use the information in Table H.1. Assume that work element 1 receives a performance rating factor
of 1.2 and all other elements receive a rating of 1.1. If work element 2 is performed every other cycle but every other element is performed every cycle, and the company has an allowance time of 0.10,
what is the standard time for the complete cycle?
a. Fewer than 45 seconds b. Greater than or equal to 45 seconds but fewer than 50 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 50 seconds but fewer than 55 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 55 seconds Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Hard Keywords: standard, time, allowance, cycle
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
636
62. Use the information in Table H.2. Which work element will take the longest for an average worker to perform per cycle?
a. Work element 1
b. Work element 2 c. Work element 3
d. Work element 4
Answer: d Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: normal, standard, time
63. Use the information in Table H.2. If the allowance for this task is 20 percent, what is the standard
time for the entire task? a. Fewer than 20 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 20 seconds but fewer than 22 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 22 seconds but fewer than 24 seconds d. Greater than 24 seconds
Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: standard, time
64. A time-study analysis was performed on a task with two work elements. The select times for these
work elements are 21.0 seconds and 13.0 seconds, with rating factors of 1.1 and 1.2, respectively.
Each work element is performed twice per cycle. If an allowance of 20 percent is used, what is the standard time for this task?
a. Fewer than 50 seconds b. Greater than or equal to 50 seconds but fewer than 70 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 70 seconds but fewer than 90 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 90 seconds Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: standard, time
Table H.2
Work Element t (sec) RF F 1 5.6 1.1 1 2 3.1 1.0 1 3 1.9 1.1 1 4 4.0 0.8 2
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
637
65. If a worker spends 10 hours per day performing a task, and the allowance for this task is 19 percent, how many hours during the average day is the worker involved in nonproductive activities?
a. Fewer than 1.75
b. Greater than or equal to 1.75 hours but fewer than 5 hours c. Greater than or equal to 5.00 hours but fewer than 8.25
d. Greater than or equal to 8.25 hours
Answer: a Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: standard, time
66. Use the information in Table H.3. What is the select time for work element 4? a. Fewer than 40 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 40 seconds but fewer than 60 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 60 seconds but fewer than or equal to 80 seconds d. Greater than or equal to 80 seconds
Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: select, time, element
67. Use the information in Table H.3. What is the normal time for work element 2?
a. Fewer than 10 seconds b. Greater than or equal to 10 seconds but fewer than 11 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 11 seconds but fewer than 12 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 12 seconds Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: normal, time, rating
Table H.3 A worker was observed for four cycles in a repetitive task. The observer recorded the following
times, in seconds, using the continuous method. The ratings for each element and frequency it is
performed are also indicated in the table. The allowance fraction is 20 percent.
Element Cycle 1 Cycle 2 Cycle 3 Cycle 4 Rating Frequency
1 15 106 208 309 1.10 1.0 2 37 131 234 334 1.05 0.5 3 47 143 245 348 1.20 0.5 4 90 190 293 392 1.15 1.0
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
638
68. Use the information in Table H.3. What is the standard time for work element 1? a. Fewer than 18 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 18 seconds but fewer than 20 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 20 seconds but fewer than 22 seconds d. Greater than or equal to 22 seconds
Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: standard, time, allowance
69. Use the information in Table H.3. What is the select time for work element 2?
a. Fewer than 17 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 17 seconds but fewer than 22 seconds c. Greater than or equal to 22 seconds but fewer than or equal to 27 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 27 seconds
Answer: c Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: select, time, element
70. Use the information in Table H.3. What is the normal time for the complete cycle?
a. Fewer than 85 seconds b. Greater than or equal to 85 seconds but fewer than 95 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 95 seconds but fewer than 105 seconds
d. Greater than or equal to 105 seconds Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Hard Keywords: normal, time, rating, cycle
71. Use the information in Table H.3. What is the standard time for the complete cycle? a. Fewer than 90 seconds
b. Greater than or equal to 90 seconds but fewer than 97 seconds
c. Greater than or equal to 97 seconds but fewer than 104 seconds d. Greater than or equal to 104 seconds
Answer: d Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: standard, time, allowance, cycle
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
639
72. A time-study analyst has found the select time for a work element to be 14.0 minutes, with a sample standard deviation of 3.2 minutes. What is the minimum sample size needed if the estimate is to be
within 4 percent of the average 95 percent of the time?
a. Fewer than 100 b. Greater than or equal to 100 but fewer than 140
c. Greater than or equal to 140 but fewer than 180
d. Greater than or equal to 180 Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sample, size
73. At a new watch assembly plant, a job is divided into three work elements. The element times for the first four cycles are recorded by the continuous method and are presented below along with a
performance rating factor (RF) for each element.
Observation (time in min)
Work Element 1 2 3 4 RF 1 0.50 2.32 4.22 6.16 1.0 2 1.45 3.24 5.20 7.06 1.1 3 1.87 3.62 5.61 7.49 0.9
The standard time for this job, assuming that the allowance is 18 percent, is:
a. fewer than or equal to 1.9 minutes. b. greater than 1.9 minutes but fewer than or equal to 2.0 minutes.
c. greater than 2.0 minutes but fewer than or equal to 2.1 minutes.
d. greater than 2.1 minutes. Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: standard, time
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
640
74. An observer has recorded the following select ( t ) for a five-part task and has applied a rating factor
(RF) to each. The times are in seconds. If there is a 15 percent allowance for “nonproductive”
activities, compute the standard time for the total task.
Element t RF
1 6.2 0.9
2 1.7 1.1 3 4.5 1.2
4 1.2 0.8
5 5.0 1.2
The standard time for the task is:
a. fewer than or equal to 21 seconds.
b. greater than 21 seconds but fewer than or equal to 23 seconds. c. greater than 23 seconds but fewer than or equal to 25 seconds.
d. greater than 25 seconds.
Answer: b Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: standard, time
75. A worker was observed for four cycles of a repetitive operation. The observed times for work elements are 11, 10, 8, and 11 seconds, respectively. What sample size is appropriate for estimating
the time for this work element within + 3 percent of the true mean time with 95 percent confidence?
a. Fewer than or equal to 70 b. Greater than 70 but fewer than or equal to 75
c. Greater than 75 but fewer than or equal to 80
d. Greater than 80 Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sample, size
76. The following times in seconds were observed for a particular one-element job using the continuous method: 12, 22, 35, and 50. The worker’s rating factor is 1.1. What is the standard time for the job if
an allowance of 20 percent is provided?
a. Fewer than or equal to 14 seconds b. Greater than 14 but fewer than or equal to 15 seconds
c. Greater than 15 but fewer than or equal to 16 seconds
d. Greater than 16 Answer: d
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: standard, time
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
641
77. A manager wants to determine the proportion of time a cashier is idle. A work-sampling method was used, and the idle time was found to be 20 percent based on 100 observations. If the manager wants a
+ 0.05 with a 95 percent confidence level, how many MORE observations are needed?
a. Fewer than or equal to 200 b. Greater than 200 but fewer than or equal to 300
c. Greater than 300 but fewer than or equal to 400
d. Greater than 400 Answer: a
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sample, size
78. A work-sampling method is used to determine the proportion of the time a worker is idle. The following information was gathered on a random basis.
Day No. Times
Clerk Idle Total No.
Observations Monday 4 12 Tuesday 2 8
Wednesday 4 10 Thursday 2 10
If the manager wants a 95 percent confidence level and a degree of precision of + 0.03, how
many more observations are needed?
a. Fewer than or equal to 600 b. Greater than 600 but fewer than or equal to 800
c. Greater than 800 but fewer than or equal to 1,000
d. Greater than 1,000 Answer: c
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Hard Keywords: sample, size
79. A supermarket administrator suspects that idle time is about 20 percent for the cashier and 15 percent for the office clerk. If the administrator wants a 95 percent confidence level and a degree of precision
of + 0.05 for both cashier and office clerk, how many TOTAL observations are needed?
a. Fewer than or equal to 200 b. Greater than 200 but fewer than or equal to 300
c. Greater than 300 but fewer than or equal to 400
d. Greater than 400 Answer: b
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: sample, size
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
642
80. A job shop manager wants to determine the proportion of time the workers are idle. The shop employs two types of workers. Type 1 includes three workers and Type 2 includes two workers. The
manager suspects that the proportion of idle time is about 20 percent for Type 1 workers and 15
percent for Type 2 workers. If the manager wants a 95 percent confidence level and a degree of precision of + 0.05, how many trips will the observers have to take through the group?
a. Fewer than or equal to 80
b. Greater than 80 but fewer than or equal to 90 c. Greater than 90 but fewer than or equal to 100
d. Greater than 100
Answer: c Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Moderate
Keywords: sample, size
81. A work-sampling method is used to determine the proportion of the time a worker is idle. The
following information was gathered on a random basis.
Day No. Times Clerk Idle
Total No. Observations
Monday 8 26 Tuesday 8 32
Wednesday 7 28 Thursday 7 34
If the manager wants a 95 percent confidence level and a degree of precision of + 0.03, how many MORE observations are needed?
a. Fewer than or equal to 700
b. Greater than 700 but fewer than or equal to 800 c. Greater than 800 but fewer than or equal to 900
d. Greater than 900
Answer: a Reference: Methods of Work Measurement
Difficulty: Hard
Keywords: sample, size
FILL IN THE BLANK
82. A(n) ____________ is the time required for a trained worker to perform a task following a prescribed method with normal effort and skill.
Answer: work standard Reference: Introduction Difficulty: Easy Keywords: work, standard
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
643
83. ____________ is the process of creating labor standards based on the judgment of skilled observers.
Answer: Work measurement Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Easy Keywords: work, measurement
84. The key to creating a work standard is defining ____________.
Answer: normal performance Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, standard, normal, performance
85. The most commonly used method for setting a time standard is called a(n) ____________.
Answer: time study Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: time, study, standard
86. The ____________ is a measurement found by multiplying the select time, the frequency of work,
and the rating factor. Answer: normal time, NT Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: normal, time
87. The time added to adjust for factors such as fatigue or equipment malfunction is called
____________. Answer: allowance time Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: allowance, time
88. Using the ____________, the analyst divides each work element into a series of micro-motions
common to a variety of tasks. Answer: predetermined-data approach Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: predetermined, data, approach, micromotion
89. The ____________ system features a database with micromotions such as reach, move, apply
pressure, grasp, and turn. Answer: MTM/methods time measurement/MTM-1 Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: predetermined, data, approach, micromotion, MTM, methods, time, measurement
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
644
90. ____________ involves estimating the proportion of time spent by people and machines on activities,
based on a large number of observations. Answer: Work sampling Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, sampling
SHORT ANSWERS
91. What are the advantages and disadvantages of establishing and enforcing work standards?
Answer: Establishment of work standards allows managers to set prices and costs, motivate workers, compare alternative process designs, schedule, plan capacity, and conduct performance
appraisals. In short, these objective standards allow for a scientific management approach to be
implemented. The disadvantages of work standards include the dehumanizing aspects of having work closely monitored and the overhead required to establish and enforce the standards. If
workers feel the standards are not achievable, they may suffer a decline in morale or may rush to
meet them at the expense of quality and safety. Reference: Work Standards and Managerial Considerations in Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, standard
92. Are time standards more useful for manufacturing or service processes? Why?
Answer: Answers will vary. Reference: Work Standards Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: time, standards
93. How can work standards be developed for higher level services and creative processes?
Answer: Answers will vary. Reference: Work Standards Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: time, standards, work
94. What are the four steps in a time study?
Answer: The four steps are selecting work elements, timing the elements, determining the sample size, and setting the standard.
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: time, study
95. Explain why a sampling schedule is important in a work sampling study.
Answer: A sampling schedule should determine when the workers are to be observed because the observations are just snapshots of time. In addition, the observation times should be randomized
to avoid biases in worker performance.
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: sampling, work, schedule
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
645
96. Compare and contrast the method of time study to the method of work sampling. What are the
strengths and limitations of each, and for which applications are they best suited? Answer: Both are direct observation methods. However, a time study observes several cycles of
work elements to determine a time standard, whereas work sampling takes “snapshots” of the
facility to determine the percentage of time engaged in an activity. Time studies require experienced analysts, should not be used for tasks that vary each time, and are many times found
to be objectionable to workers. Work sampling does not require special training and is generally
accepted by workers because it tends to examine activities of the group rather than of the individual. In addition, many work-sampling studies can be conducted simultaneously.
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: method, time, study, work, sampling
PROBLEMS
97. A pilot work study has been conducted on a new operation with four work elements. The following
times, in seconds, were obtained using the continuous method.
Observations
Element 1 2 3 4 5 RF 1 11.00 45.00 80.00 117.00 153.00 1.10 2 20.00 54.00 89.00 125.00 161.00 1.05 3 25.00 58.00 95.00 131.00 166.00 0.85
a. What is the normal time for this operation?
b. If an allowance of 20 percent is used, what is the standard time for this task? c. What sample size is appropriate for estimating the time for element 3 within + 3 percent of the true
mean time with 95 percent confidence?
Answer:
Precision (p) 0.03 Allowance 0.20 Standard deviations (z) 1.96 Rating Select Std. Deviation Required Normal Work Element Factor Freq. Time (sigma) Sample Size Times 1 1.1 1 19.40 4.7749 258.58 21.34 2 1.05 1 8.60 0.5477 17.31 9.03 3 0.85 1 5.20 0.8367 110.50 4.42 a. Total Normal Time 34.79 b. Standard Time 41.748 c. Required Sample Size 259
a. Normal time = 34.79 b. Standard time = 41.748 c. Sample size = 259 Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: time, standard, normal, sample, size
Supplement H Measuring Output Rates
646
98. An undergraduate business student studies diligently in the library during dead week in anticipation of an outstanding performance on her final exams. She asks a friend to spy on her at random intervals
to determine what percentage of time she is actually studying. Over the course of three days, her
friend records the following observations:
Observation Period Times
Studying Times Not Studying Observations
Monday 20 3 23 Tuesday 21 4 25 Wednesday 10 1 11 Total 51 8 59
If the student wants a 95 percent confidence level and a degree of precision of + 0.08, how many
more observations are needed?
Answer:
2
2
(1 )
1.96 51 511 70.350.08 59 59
70.35 59 11.35
zn p pe
n
n
There have already been 59 observations, so 12 more observations are needed.
Reference: Methods of Work Measurement Difficulty: Moderate Keywords: work, sampling, sample, size