What is Method Study?

Method study is the process of subjecting work to systematic, critical scrutiny to make it more effective and efficient. This involves the following sequence of steps:

Identify the work to be studied. This means finding the jobs that are most likely to yield a high return on investment from having studied them. High-frequency jobs are a good option, since any incremental gains found will be repeated many times, generating high returns for the company. Also focus on jobs that present bottlenecks in a process, or which generate large numbers of errors.
Identify the relevant facts for the work as it is currently performed. This involves recording the sequence of activities performed and the time required to complete them. It may also involve studying the travel path used by the person in the job. This analysis provides a baseline for a critical analysis.
Critically review these facts, answering such questions as why specific tasks are being done, what else could be done instead, can the work be done elsewhere, can it be done at a different time, could someone else do the work, and whether there are alternative ways to complete the work.
Develop the most practical and effective alternative. This may involve eliminating activities, merging them, changing the sequence of events, or reducing the work content in order to simplify the job.
Install the alternative method and periodically review it. This involves laying out the new sequence of work, with detailed work instructions, providing training for those who will be performing the work, and watching how the new sequence is conducted in practice. This may be an iterative process, where the need for changes becomes evident, once the proposed revisions have been put into practice. In addition, one should review the process periodically, to see if the revised job layout is still being followed.

Advantages of Method Study

There are several advantages to the use of method study. First, it enhances the speed with which processes can be completed, which shortens cycle time. Second, it can improve the layout of a workspace, frequently shrinking the amount of space needed. Third, it can result in a more ergonomically friendly work environment, so that workers feel less fatigue and so remain more alert. Fourth, it can result in higher quality goods and services.