ABSTRACT
This chapter, like that on method study, presents work measurement as a way to improve the input resource factors used in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). Work study characteristics are not indicated in this chapter, since these characteristics are the same as in method study. Work measurement procedures in SMEs are different from those of method study and are presented as the selection of the task to be studied, the recording of the information regarding the task, the analytical examination of the information collected, the measurement of work, and the compilation and definition of the method.
Method study techniques such as preliminary survey studies (e.g. interviews, observations, and questionnaires) are already addressed in the discussion on method study, and these techniques apply in the same way as in work measurement during the preparation of the study. The work measurement techniques to be followed during the investigation include benchmarking, brainstorming, time study, work sampling, predetermined motion time systems, analytical estimating, comparative estimating, synthesis, value stream mapping, statistical process control, and business process reengineering. The following section of the chapter discusses the analysis of current work measurement applications in South Africa.
