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

Here are some key advantages of using method study:

Increased efficiency. By identifying the best methods for completing tasks, method study helps reduce time and effort, leading to faster completion of work.
Enhanced productivity. Method study improves productivity by simplifying or reorganizing workflows, often by removing redundant or non-value-adding steps.
Reduced costs. Method study helps reduce operational costs by minimizing waste, whether it’s time, material, or labor. Lower operating costs make organizations more competitive by increasing profit margins or allowing for lower pricing.
Better resource utilization. Method study optimizes the use of materials, labor, and equipment, reducing idle time and increasing the output for given resources. Equipment and workspace are often redesigned or rearranged to be more ergonomic and efficient, leading to better resource utilization.
Improved quality of work. By standardizing work methods, the consistency and reliability of the output improve, which often leads to higher-quality products or services.
Higher job satisfaction. Streamlined workflows and reduced workloads lead to less fatigue and higher job satisfaction among workers.
More flexibility. Method study provides a deeper understanding of work processes, making it easier to adapt to new changes or improvements in technology or processes.
Higher customer satisfaction. Improvements in productivity and quality lead to better customer service, as products or services are delivered faster and with fewer defects.
Increased competitiveness. As efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness improve, organizations are better positioned to compete in their industries.

In short, method study is a powerful tool in the pursuit of operational excellence, contributing to both short-term gains and long-term strategic benefits.