Time Study
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Time study is the systematic measurement and analysis of work element times to establish standards and identify improvement opportunities.
Definition
Time study is the systematic observation and measurement of work to determine how long tasks take and to establish time standards. Developed as part of scientific management, time study in lean contexts serves different purposes: understanding current state, identifying waste, balancing work, and establishing standards for improvement. Time studies typically break work into elements, measure each element multiple times, and analyze the data to understand both average times and variation. The data supports line balancing, staffing decisions, and kaizen activities.
Examples
A time study of an assembly process measured each work element across 30 cycles. Analysis revealed that element 5 had high variation (20-60 seconds versus 30-35 seconds for other elements). Investigation showed that a part was sometimes difficult to insert, revealing a quality issue with incoming components.
Key Points
- Break work into distinct elements for meaningful analysis
- Multiple observations capture variation, not just averages
- High variation often indicates improvement opportunities
- Time study data supports line balancing and standard work development
Common Misconceptions
Time study is about working faster. Time study is about understanding work—identifying waste, variation, and improvement opportunities. The goal is better methods, not just faster pace.
Time study creates pressure and stress. Done well, time study involves operators, focuses on process rather than people, and leads to improvements that make work easier, not harder.