A Study of Work-Time Distributions on Unpaced Tasks

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Abstract
Recent investigations into the work-time distributions of light assembly tasks indicate that some reserve must be used when applying the generalized relationships which are traditionally believed to hold. Video recordings were made of industrial operations and, in subsequent analysis, any process controlled or nonproductive elements were excluded. The elements studied were all analyzed using MTM-1 so that the nature of the element and the method used to perform it could be defined closely. The work time distributions obtained show the general pattern expected in regard to positive skewness and gross measures of dispersion. However, measures of skewness and the coefficient of variation show wide differences throughout the overall sample. Analysis of the nature of the individual work elements and their statistical characteristics failed to reveal any clear explanation for the differences encountered. The need for further research in this area is, therefore, underlined where the prediction of the nature of work time variability is important in work specification and measurement.

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