Practical, up-to-date coverage for a new generation of engineering and management professionals. Lawrence S. Aft s Productivity, Measurement, and Improvement has long served as a seminal reference for students and professionals in industrial engineering, quality management, and other related fields. Now Work Measurement and Methods Improvement brings his work right up to date with the demands of today s rapidly changing marketplace, where work measurement and methods improvement have a vital role to play in improving quality and enhancing productivity in a wide range of industries. Accessible and easy to follow, this book presents solid, practical coverage of the key principles and practices of work measurement. It explains the purpose, use, advantages, and limitations of tools and methods for: * Work analysis including graphical productivity analysis and work methods improvement * Product measurement from time study and standard data systems to work sampling and labor reporting issues * Product improvement ergonomics, incentive systems, continuous improvement, process improvement, and more With straightforward examples, chapter-end summaries, review questions, and practice exercises that emphasize the application of fundamental concepts, Work Measurement and Methods Improvement is an essential reference for current and future professionals who must do the work and manage the process to achieve better quality, higher productivity, and powerhouse performance for their organization.

Table of Contents:
I Productivity – An Introduction 1 1 Introduction 3 Anecdotes 4 Analysis 8 Why is Productivity a Problem in the United States 10 Ways to Improve Productivity 12 A Role for Industrial Engineering 15 What about Japan 17 Where to From Here? 20 2 Methods Analysis 22 Objectives 22 Introduction 22 The Scientific Method 24 Summary 30 II work Analysis 31 3 Graphical Productivity Analysis 33 Objective 33 Introduction 33 Graphical Analysis Tools 34 Summary 85 Review Questions 86 Practice Exercises 86 4 Work Methods Improvement 105 Objectives 105 Introduction 105 Methods Improvement Defined 106 The Best Method 107 Therblig Analysis 109 Principles of Motion Economy 117 Man vs. Machine 125 Selling the Solution 132 Summary 138 Review Questions 141 Practice Exercise 141 III Measuring Productivity 145 5 Time Study 147 Objectives 147 Introduction 147 Purpose of Work Measurement Studies 148 Rating Job Performance 150 PFD Allowances 151 Calculating the Standard Time 152 Conducting a Time Study 153 Elemental Analysis 160 Determining Number of Cycles to Time 169 Potential Data Recording Difficulties 180 Data Analysis 183 Interpretation of Results 185 Special Cases 189 Summary 203 Review Questions 203 Practice Exercises 204 6 Standard Data Systems 209 Objectives 209 Introduction 209 The Purpose of Standard Data Systems 210 Constructing Standard Data Systems 211 Methodology for Developing Standard Data Systems 226 Advantages of Standard Data Systems 241 Limitations of Standard Data Systems 241 Summary 244 Appendix – Correlation and Regression Analysis 244 Review Questions 249 Practice Exercises 250 7 Predetermined Time Systems 253 Objectives 253 Introductions 253 The Purpose of Predetermined Time Standards 254 Use of Predetermined Time Systems 255 Application of a Hypothetical Predetermined Time System – AFTWAYS 256 Advantages of Predetermined Time Systems 278 Selecting a Predetermined Time System 278 Limitations of Predetermined Time Systems 279 Examples of Existing Predetermined Time Systems 279 Summary 298 Review Questions 298 Practice Exercise 298 8 Work Sampling 299 Objectives 299 Introduction 299 Definition of Work Sampling 300 Conducting a Study 305 Advantages of Work Sampling 319 Limitations of Work Sampling 320 Summary 322 Sample Size Determination 323 Review Questions 324 Practice Exercises 324 9 Physiological Work Measurement 330 Objectives 330 Introduction 330 Measuring Physiological Work 331 Uses of Physiological Work Measurements 335 Implications for Productivity 337 Summary 338 Review Questions 339 10 Labor Reporting 340 Introduction 340 Constructing a Labor Variance Report 341 Variation 343 Labor Efficiency 348 Using Labor Reporting and Work Sampling to Manage Staffing Levels 351 Conclusion 359 Practice Exercises 360 IV Improving Productivity 363 11 Introduction to Ergonomics 365 Objectives 365 Introduction 365 Approach to Human Factors Design 366 Work Design Considerations 373 Industrial Applications of Ergonomics 380 Summary 382 Partial Listing of Design Guidebooks 383 Review Questions 384 12 Incentives to Increase Productivity 385 Objectives 385 Introduction 385 Incentive System Design 388 Types of Incentive Plans 390 The Scanlon Plan 402 The Lincoln electric Plan 404 Summary 408 Review Questions 408 Practice Exercises 409 13 Alternative Methods for Increasing Productivity 412 Objectives 412 Introduction 412 Quality of Work Life 413 Quality Control Circles 419 Work Measurement and Continuous Improvement 429 Alternative Work Pattern – Flextime 433 Other Motivational Approaches to Productivity Improvement 434 Summary 437 Review Questions 438 Bibliography 439 Index 449