Time and Motion Study, Analysis Through Statistics

Higher productivity in organizations leads to national prosperity and better standard of living for the whole
community. Improving productivity through time and motion study is used in the manufacturing sector and allied
industries. Work study consists of two aspects method study and work measurement which when applied effectively
results to higher productivity. This paper deals with the use of work measurement for rebar placement activity,
studying
the
performance
of
workers
and
its
analysis
through
statistics.
Introduction
Project cost and schedule performance depend largely on the quality of project planning, work area readiness
preparation and the resulting productivity of the work process made possible in project execution. The construction
industry sets in motion the process of economical growth in the country; investment in this sector contributes 6.5%
of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) growth (Das, 2003). Every Rs.1 investment in the construction industry causes a
Rs.0.80 increment in GDP as against Rs.0.20 and Rs.0.14 in the fields of agriculture and manufacturing industry,
respectively. Statistics over the period have shown that compared to other sectors, this sector of economic activity
generally creates 4.7 times increase in incomes and 7.76 times increase in employment generation potentiality.
Statistics is defined as the scientific method for collecting organizing, summarizing, presenting and analyzing data
as well as drawing valid conclusions and making reasonable decisions on the basis of such analysis. The three major
functions where statistics can be found in major enterprise are:
a.

The planning of operations:- This relates to either special projects or to the recurring activities of a firm
over a specified period of time.

b.

The setting up of standards:- Understanding the size of employment, volume of sales, fixation of quality
norms for the manufactured product, norms of the daily output, and so forth.

c.

The function of control:- This involves comparison of actual production achieved against the norm or target
set earlier. In case the production has fallen short of the target, it gives remedial measures so that such a
deficiency does not occur again.

Work measurement techniques find the time required to do a job by a qualified operator working at a standard pace
and using the standard method. The time in minutes or hours calculated is known as standard time. The commonly
employed work measurement techniques are:

Stop Watch Procedure of Time Study

Predetermined Motion Time Systems

Synthesis-Synthesied Time Standards

Analytical Estimating

Work sampling

The study highlights the use of stop watch procedure of time study, work sampling for the rebar placement.
Time Study

Time study is a work measurement technique for recording the times and rates of working for the elements of a
specified job carried out under specified conditions and for analyzing data so as to determine the time necessary for
carrying out the job at a defined level of performance.
Essentials of Time Study

An accurate specification of where the job begins and where it ends, and the method by which it is carried
out, including details of material, equipment.

A system of recording the observed times taken by workers to do the job while under observation.

Procedure of Time Study

Identifying the job to be timed and operations to be timed.

Obtaining an improved procedure from method study department.

Select worker for study

Collecting the equipment and arrange machinery required to conduct time study and ensure accuracy in
recording time

Explaining to the worker the improved working procedure and use of tools and fixtures

Breaking the job into operations and operations into elements and writing them in a proper format

Conducting the observations and recording them on the time study form

Rating the performance of the worker

Applications of Time Study

For determining schedules and planning of work

For calculation of Standard costs and as an aid in preparing budgets

For determining machine effectiveness, the number of machines which one person can operate and also for
construction activities.

Work Sampling
Work sampling is a work measurement technique in which a large number of instantaneous observations are made a
random intervals over a specified period of time of group of workers machine and process of finding the percentage
occurrence
of
a
certain
activity
by
statistical
sampling.
Work
a)

sampling

procedure
Preparing

can

be

divided
for

in

the

following
work

three

phases:sampling

1) Statement of the main objective of the study, obtaining approval of the supervisor.
2) Establish quantitative measure of the activity, selection of training of personnel and making a detail plan for
taking
observations.
b)
Performing
work
sampling
1) Describing and classifying the elements to be studied in details, designing the observation form and determining
the
number
of
days
or
shifts
required
for
the
study.
2) Developing properly randomized times of observations, observing activity and recording data, summarizing the
data
at
the
end
of
each
day.
c)
Evaluating
and
presenting
results
of
work
sampling.
1) Evaluate the validity and reliability of data, presenting, analyzing data and planning for future studies.
Uses
of
work
1)
determination
of
time
standards
and
delay
2)
Aid
in
the
measurement
of
overall
3)
Job
evaluation
and
manpower
4) For appraisal of safety performance and organizational efficiency.

sampling:allowances
performances
planning.

Case Study
Keeping the above technique in mind a residential project was taken up as a case study where data was collected
from a G+7 apartment in Aurangabad, Maharashtra.
Work Sampling
Table1:- Workers Performance on rebar placement.

Day-1
Visit No.
10:45
10:55
11:05
11:20
11:25
11:32
11:40
11:48
12:05
12:15
12:30
12:45
2:45

1
IW
IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
IW

2
IW
IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
IW

3
IW
IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
IW

Workers:4
5
IW
IW
IW
IW
IW
IW
SW SW
SW SW
SW SW
SW SW
SW SW
SW SW
SW SW
SW SW
SW SW
IW
IW

6
IW
IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
IW

7
IW
IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
IW

8
IW
IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
IW

2:55
3:12
3:27
3:40
4:00
4:12
4:25
4:40

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

IW
IW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW
SW

6 days required for the placing of beams in proper location for 6th floor wing c. No. of workers on the working
area:-8. Workers: - 1-5 are fitters, 6-8 are helpers. Table here shows the sample of 2 days of work sampling
procedure.

Day-2
No. of workers on the working area:-10. Workers: - 1-5 are fitters, 6-10
are helpers.
Workers:Visit no.
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
10:00
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
10:17
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
10:22
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
10:35
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
10:40
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
10:45
SW IW DW DW IW SW SW DW DW SW
10:55
SW IW DW DW IW SW SW DW DW SW
11:05
SW IW DW DW IW SW SW DW DW SW
11:20
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
11:25
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
11:32
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
11:40
DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW DW
11:48
DW DW DW DW IW DW DW DW DW IW
12:05
DW DW SW SW IW SW SW SW SW IW
12:15
IW IW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW SW
12:30
IW IW IW IW IW IW IW IW IW IW
12:45
IW IW IW IW IW IW IW IW IW IW

2:45
2:55
3:12
3:27
3:40
4:00
4:12
4:25
4:35
4:55
5:10
5:20
5:35
5:45

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
IW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
IW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

Category
Direct work
Essential
contributory
work.

1
2
60.02 71.27%
%

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
IW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

SW
SW
SW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW
DW

Study Number
3
4
5
6
7
61.75 71.22
70.53 70.08
68%
%
%
%
%

20.98
18.82 15.51 17.7 14.00 15.48
17.10%
%
%
%
%
%
%

Ineffective work 19.0% 11.63%

19.43 13.27 14.3 15.47 14.44

%
%
%
%
%

The Table depicts work sampling used for measuring the performance of workers on rebar placement: - It consists of
studies taken from 6th floor wing c, 7th floor wing a, b, c Roof level wing a, b, c.
Categories are further subdivided into narrowly defined categories of activity as follows:

Direct

or

Effective

Work:-

1.Direct workPlace, align, force, and tie into position plus those Elements which contribute directly to
completing the unit of work.

Essential

Contributory

Work

:-

2. Obtain or transport tools and materials within immediate vicinity of work area including torch, sledge, wire

cutters, rigging, reinforcement tie wire, etc. Also includes searching for materials. The immediate vicinity is
defined
as
the
existing
concrete
mat.
The
staging
area
is
excluded.
3. Obtain or transport tools and materials outside of immediate vicinity of work area including all tool and
material movement not in close proximity to the work location. Activities in the staging area are included.
4. Includes activities associated with crane deliveries until such time as the lift actually begins.
5. Receive/give instructions and read drawings involving instructions communicated to or by supervisors and
among crew members. Casual talking is not considered instructions. Also included is the studying of drawings
and planning work. Foreman in staging area looking for materials is considered as planning work.
6. Minor contributory work measuring or marking bar location, holding a bar to prevent movement, cutting
w/torch, moving scaffolding, etc.

Ineffective

Work:-

7. Travel empty-handed to and from the work area and within the work area, either on foot or in a vehicle.
8. Idle, unexplained waiting that cannot be accounted for. Distinction between idle and waiting for prerequisite
activity or craft is if worker is in a position to assist, he is waiting for prerequisite work, otherwise, unexplained.
Includes
personal
time
while
in
the
immediate
vicinity
of
the
work
location.
9. Waiting for tools, materials, instructions, crane deliveries, prerequisite work, other crafts, etc. Workers should
be
in
position
to
continue
work
when
the
delay
ends.
10. No contactfailure to observe worker who is assigned to a specific work location. Includes early quit, late
start, and time away from the immediate work location.
Conclusion
The optimum number of personnel for rebar placement is 10 - 12 on the work location. The optimum number of
human resources assigned for construction activities leads to economy, reduction in time and quality work is
obtained.

Table 2:- TIME STUDY PROCEDURE USED FOR BEAMS.

Continuous time study: - 6th Floor WingC
Time required (secs) Work location
Crew activity
612.82
B117
Align, position, marking of stirrups.
271.11
B117
Placing of stirrups
556.23
B117
Tying of stirrups to top bars
1160.63
B117
Placing of bottom bars and tying
482.1
B47,B48
Align, position, marking of stirrups
309.11
B47,B48
Placing of stirrups

1339.26
1852.63
500.13
198.74
759.56
1076.27
733.62
465.36
653.26
446.64
441.36
192.68
563.65
802.16
553.23
513.43
753.26
922.1
620.32
491.25
685.36
870.18

B47,B48
B47,B48
B123
B123
B123
B123
B38
B38
B38
B38
B84
B84
B84
B84
B72,73
B72,73
B72,73
B72,73
B119
B119
B119
B119

Tying of stirrups to top bars

Placing of bottom bars and tying
Align, position, marking of stirrups
Placing of stirrups
Tying of stirrups to top bars
Placing of bottom bars and tying
Align, position, marking of stirrups
Placing of stirrups
Tying of stirrups to top bars
Placing of bottom bars and tying
Align, position, marking of stirrups
Placing of stirrups
Tying of stirrups to top bars
Placing of bottom bars and tying
Align, position, marking of stirrups
Placing of stirrups
Tying of stirrups to top bars
Placing of bottom bars and tying
Align, position, marking of stirrups
Placing of stirrups
Tying of stirrups to top bars
Placing of bottom bars and tying

Time study and work sampling applied for rebar placement show us that there was a lot of physical stress and strain
for the essential contributory work, i.e. workers working manually. The stress and strain can be reduced by using the
material handing lift on site for stirrups and cover blocks which reduces time, and effective time can be used for
direct work. Bar cutting and bar bending machine on site helps in improvement of labour productivity.
The normal distribution, normal curve with respect to beams shows that the area under the curve for one standard
deviation from the mean covers more than 68.27% area and area under the curve from mean for 2, 3 covers
95.45%, 99.73%. The reasons for the above results is due to the alteration in the drawings, delay in payment and
also change in the gang working on the work location from slab to slab.

The results of the statistical analysis for the time study:Statictics using EXCEL
Activity Activity Activity
Activity d
Sheets
a
b
c
Mean
566.99 366.41 740.36 976.67

Standard Error
Mode
Median
StandardDeviation
Sample Variance
Kurtosis
Skewness
Range
Minimum
Maximum
Sum
Count
r
r
r
r
r
r

12

13

14

23

24

34

12.34

r13.24

14.23

0.00
669.31
253.93
64481
2.1486
1.8667
783.03
556.23
1339.3
5922.8
8

147.7912
2
0.00
896.14
418.02
174738
0.6224
1.0420
1405.99
446.64
1852.6
7813.4
8

-----------------------

----------------------

--------------

-------------

33.00500 48.70055 89.77151

0.00
0.00
572.80 387.24
93.352 137.75
8714.6
18974
-0.6248 -1.7164
0.3744 -0.1782
292.26 320.75
441.36 192.68
733.62 513.43
4535.9 2931.2
8
8
Correlation Coefficient
0.6419
------0.3570
----0.5541
----0.0762
----0.4071
---0.8243
----Partial correlation coefficients
0.5220
-----0.0869
-----0.1493
----

The onsite training programs for the operators and personnel should be conducted. Motivation and job evaluation
through questionnaires can be used in finding the best way for performing the activities. Checklist for different
construction activities reduces time and improves the efficiency of workers.

Rebar placement and installation

Work Study and study of ergonomics can be used for developing better incentive schemes and safety measures. The
study on occupational and health safety and working conditions is a must. Use of statistics through softwares
reduces time, the samples of different construction activities can be evaluated and graphs interpretated in an efficient
manner, thus improving the quality of construction as well as improving the working conditions of the workers on
site. The factors which effect the labour productivity are material shortages, delay in inspection, payment delay,
alteration in drawings and specification during execution, tool / equipment shortages etc.
References
1.

H. Randolph Thomas (1991) Labor Productivity and work sampling the bottom line, J.Cons. Eng.
Management., p.p-423-444.

2.

Md. Salim and Leonhard E. Bernold, (1993) Effects of design-Integrated process Planning on productivity
in rebar placement. J. Constr. Eng. Management p.p-720-738.

3.

Fwu-Shiun Liou1 and John P. Borcherding (1986) Work sampling can predict Unit Rate of productivity,
J.Constr. Eng. Management p.p 90-103.

4.

H. Randolph Thomas, Jeffrey Daily, (1983) Crew performace measurement via Activity sampling J. Cons.
Engg. Management p.p 309-320.

5.

Adnan Enshassi, Sherif Mohamed, Ziad Abu Mustafa1 and Peter Eduard Mayer (2007) Factors affecting
labour productivity in building projects in the Gaza strip. J. of Civil Engg and Management .p245-254

6.
7.

O.P. Khanna, Work Study, Dhanpat Rai Publications.

M.N.Pal, A.K.Chatterjee Indian Adaptation Introduction to Work Study. International Labour Office,
Geneva

8.

Marvin E.Mundel, Motion and Time study improving productivity, Prentice Hall India.

9.

G.C.Beri Business Statistics Tata Mc Graw Hill.

10.

Murray R.Spiegel, Larry J Stephens, Adapted by Narinder Kumar Schaums outlines Statictics. Tata
McGraw Hill Publication.