Can you explain how the time studies were originally done. How did they decide who was picked to demonstrate the various aspects of a general day, ie selection time, pieces per second, startup etc, etc. Was this a general picking of various folks or the top production drivers. When were these studies done? I think many on here would enjoy listening to how these things were done.
Time study is not something UPS invented. It has been around for close to a century.
Each element or movement is broken down to a TMU or Time Measurement Unit. Thousands and thousands of these pre-determined movements were measured and an average time or TMU was given to the movement.
Examples include - grasping an object, range of movement, walking, bending, etc etc.
Walks are broken down into distances and a TMU was assigned to each distance.
There are 2 very common misconceptions.
Again this is based on what a TS observer is supposed to do.
1. The driver is NOT a factor in determining the allowance
2. Help from a customer is NOT supposed to be figured in
other misconceptions
3. Parking should be figured on where the closest legal parking spot is - not where the driver actually parks
The driver is studied to show where time is gained or lost on that particular observance (key point). This is where the misconception comes from and it gives the center and TSO a baseline for knowledge of methods. For instance, when a round of studies goes through a center there may be a few particular methods problems that are glaring or there may be a particular bottleneck that shows through the round of studies that may need to be addressed. This has nothing to do with the different areas or unit allowances that are being addressed.
Variances are determined if there is time lost that can be accounted no other way. In other words - the lost time happens ever day and is way out of the norm of standard deviation.
A variance is extremely hard to get approved and goes up the ladder for approval to the District IE manager or engineering manager with approval process from the region.
Go to Wikipedia under time study and pre-determined measurement for more detail
NOW all that being said - most drivers (and management) don't trust the TSO! These studies used to be done by hand now they can be done completely by computer. An observer does not even need to ride with a driver any more. All they need to do is check the area for density or lack of it and with Google Earth they probably don't need to leave their desk.
If you are fortunate to get a TSO on car - quiz them to see what knowledge they have as the ride progresses. This will help you determine their knowledge and fairness in setting up an allowance for an area.