| Focusing now on labor standards, there are primarily | | | | review, evaluation & improvement, modeling of |
| two different approaches utilized to develop them: (i) | | | | future processes ("what if"? analyses), |
| using a predetermined time system (PDTS) and (ii) | | | | easy-to-calculate ROI analyses - it is a predictive or |
| time study. | | | | proactive tool in this case. Whereas time study only |
| Newer to retail, but long valued by manufacturers, a | | | | covers what is actually seen during the study and it |
| PDTS epitomizes the "speed-to-value" philosophy. | | | | can only be done properly in an environment where |
| These systems use standard data, developed through | | | | the process has been previously perfected. PDTS |
| thousands of time and motion studies conducted during | | | | measures the amount of time that should be used to |
| the 20th century, to reflect a predetermined time for | | | | perform a task, as opposed to the amount of time |
| an average worker, working at an average pace, and | | | | that is currently being used. Do you want to know |
| in an average environment to perform manual work | | | | what you do, or what youshould do? |
| tasks. The final result is a solid, engineered labor | | | | Some of today's PDTS provide for the inclusion of |
| standard that will withstand subject matter expert | | | | work instructions or other written information which |
| scrutiny and provide value to the organization in many | | | | can be electronically linked or integrated within each |
| ways. | | | | standard and included in the onscreen display. Video |
| PDTS are a WFM Best Practice | | | | clips of the task can also be integrated and attached |
| An advantage of the PDTS standard data concept is | | | | to the corresponding standard if desired. Pie charts |
| that a user does not have to build everything from | | | | and "value-added" vs. "non-value-added" work |
| scratch; no wheel reinvention required! Micro-level data, | | | | analyses can be quickly performed and displayed in |
| like obtaining a small object within reach, walking one | | | | these systems. |
| step, bending at the waist, pushing a button, writing a | | | | "Well, I've never heard of such a system!" you exclaim. |
| word, etc. is used to build higher level data elements. | | | | "What's wrong with the old fashioned time study |
| These elements of work, such as opening a | | | | approach?" If you're talking about a bona fide time |
| cardboard case with a box cutter, scanning a small | | | | study that desires to be statistically valid, then you will |
| item, removing shrink wrap from a pallet of cases, | | | | need many sample measurements (100's at times), |
| affixing a label to an object, transporting a pallet using | | | | making this a time consuming and costly approach |
| a pallet jack or forklift, stocking a shelf or peg item, or | | | | (low speed, low tech, and low value). Time study only |
| removing & replacing a trash can liner can all be | | | | produces a total time for the process, losing much of |
| used over and over again in the application, bringing | | | | the detailed method steps that make up the process |
| great speed and unmatched consistency to the labor | | | | itself. This hampers process improvement / best |
| standards process. | | | | practices efforts. As for maintenance, many |
| Higher level work standards, like stocking one case of | | | | companies have found it difficult to maintain time study |
| hard fruit, making and serving a deli sandwich, par-bake | | | | standards and keep them current. Often, a complete |
| and stocking a dozen donuts, cutting, processing & | | | | re-do of the standard is required as processes |
| wrapping cuts of meat, scanning and bagging items at | | | | change. As previously mentioned, if the study is |
| the checkstand, tendering a credit card transaction, | | | | executed properly, "rating" of the operator is required, |
| and mopping one sq.ft. of tile flooring are built, | | | | which is very subjective and increases the margin of |
| element-by-element within the system. | | | | error (labor unions tend to frown upon this). |
| Another advantage is speed of implementation, since | | | | Furthermore, time study cannot be used proactively, as |
| only one properly performed sample is needed to be | | | | in developing forward-looking models or "what-if" |
| observed (thru direct observation or from videotape), | | | | analysis. It can only be done accurately after a |
| the standard can be developed rapidly. Unlike proper | | | | process has been perfected; measuring "what was |
| time study, the user does not have to pace "rate" the | | | | seen", it cannot take into account an occurrence that |
| employee, removing much subjectivity, while | | | | may happen infrequently during a task. When a time |
| consistently producing a more accurate standard than | | | | studier claims "it's all in there", what they really mean is |
| time study. Maintenance of the system is also | | | | that "everything they saw is in there". I have found that |
| accomplished swiftly, as updates and edits are quick | | | | over time, companies lose track of what time study |
| and easy to perform. Learning the application is simple | | | | standards represent, what is included in them, and |
| and easy, with a mere threeday training course to get | | | | basically lose faith in them, resulting in loss of credibility |
| up to speed. Oh, and you don't have to be a degreed | | | | in labor measurement. |
| industrial engineer either; it's not that complicated. On | | | | Of course, there is no magic bullet. A license fee is |
| the technical side, the labor standards reside in a | | | | attached to a PDTS, but the overall cost to fully |
| relational database, which can easily be linked to other | | | | implement is less than a statistically valid time study |
| systems or databases. Within the system itself, all of | | | | approach. Customer service and sales labor needs |
| the detail, or "method steps", are visible, whichprovides | | | | cannot be measured with a PDTS, since a |
| simplicity when reviewing contents - a person can | | | | predetermined time for speaking, customer |
| "see" everything that makes up the standard, thus it | | | | engagement / communication and selling effort does |
| shows what is and what is not included. | | | | not exist. However, there are other "speed-to-value" |
| Leverage your investment via process improvements | | | | methods for accurately and scientifically capturing this |
| In addition to these inherent advantages of a PDTS, | | | | very important component of the labor model puzzle. |
| the scrutiny of detail facilitates other uses - process | | | | That topic will be discussed in another paper! |