Method Study Details.

This is the crucial stage of method study when the improvements are suggested. The method developments should be based on the facts obtained from the questioning technique during the examination phase and also include information regarding time saved, value added, distances reduced, standardisation achieved, reduction in health and safety issues and any other benefits derived from the new methods.
If we are fortunate enough to be using a PMTS. System, that measures time and ergonomics against method with a detailed activity breakdown (see RECORD), the old and new methods should be shown side by side, to highlight benefits and savings.

Let us take a very simple analogy of securing 4 screws with a manual screwdriver, where the screwdriver is located on a low shelf of an ajoining bench 3 metres away and must be returned once the task is finished:

Our PMTS. System would look like this: (The letters and numbers in the PMTS. Sequences represent time and actions taking place.

If we made our first improvement of giving the operator their own screwdriver, on thier own bench, the new PMTS. Sequence would be:

Now lets investigate the saving if the manual screwdriver were replaced with a power tool, suspended on an overhead balancer. The new PMTS. Sequence would be:

So we can see by performing a few method improvements, albeit on a very simple analogy, that we can reduce the time taken from 45 to 13 seconds. Also improving the state of our operators bad back in the process as he will no longer need to keep bending down and walking for his screwdriver.