Time and Motion Study

This page is dedicated to the subject of time and motion study.  For topics related to study or studying at school, please search elsewhere.

Time study is the process of observing and quantitatively measuring time for a given set of processes.  Typically, it is done to measure how workers perform individual tasks.  Although the results can be used to measure/track the performance of a work force, more commonly a time study is performed to set labor standards or to identify waste and process improvement opportunities.

There are multiple ways in which time studies can be conducted.  Traditionally, these were performed with a stopwatch and paper, requiring manual recording of time, and manual transcription of time study data into a computer for analysis.  This method was later enhanced by the use of electronic stopwatches or other dedicated recording devices.  Today, the best way to perform a time study is with the use of a smartphone or tablet app designed for performance of time studies.

To learn more about modern software for performing time studies, please see Time Study Software.