ABSTRACT
Work measurement analysts routinely use different types of instrumentation to measure work . The accompanying software is used to examine the results of work measurement . To fully appreciate the scope and nature of the task, it is crucial to gain familiarity of relevant instrumentation and software . This is especially important in light of the higher level of sophistication and precision afforded by continuously evolving technological advances in electronics and software . For instance, stopwatches were used for the first time in the 1940s to conduct time studies . In keeping with the level of technological sophistication available at the time, mechanical movements largely powered such watches . The level of precision available to the work measurement analysts was also limited and was expressed as a function of the least count of the measuring instrument . Most analysis of observations was conducted manually using a paper and pencil . The computational power available to analysts was almost nonexistent . This is no longer the case . For instance, analysts routinely use spreadsheets to perform complicated calculations and present the results, mostly in easily recognizable graphical form . The advent of personal computers, advances in computational technology, and miniaturization have radically altered the method of conducting the “trade” and analyzing the results . Thus, it is essential for the modern work measurement analyst to be fully cognizant of the vastly improved tools and capability available to them in order to be fully effective .
