In my early posting, I mentioned that stop-watch time study is in fact a way of measuring work. It is easy to learn. It is easy to carry out measurements. Most importantly, it is cheap with no other investment other than labor. Stop-watch time study is timely and challenging in execution but when done properly, can give accurate time values. This is why it is still being used by a majority of garment making factories today.
Stop watch time study is
– Easy to use without extensive training or heavy equipment costs
– Commonly used in most factories
– Less accurate
PMTS is a world recognized, motion-based method of measuring work. By carefully describing all of the motions required to perform a task, each motion is tagged with a specific code and assigned time value. An entire task is measured by synthesizing all the motions identified in a job.
Predetermined Motion and Time Study (PMTS) is
– More reliable
– More consistent
– More accurate
– Initial high investment
– Benchmarking tool
First, the task you study has to be precisely defined by motions involved. This requires a complete understanding of the operation. Once motions are defined, then multiples of repeated individual motions are retrieved from the system’s database. Individual motion times are combined, and allowance is factored in. The resulting total is a time standard for the task.
Many medium to large factories are moving away from stop-watch time study to PMTS.
While PMTS is proven to be able to produce more reliable and consistent standard times, it is an expensive investment, initially, however. There are two aspects: training and IT investments.
Unlike stop-watch time study, PMTS is harder to learn and apply. There is a body of knowledge that must be fully acquired by any PMTS analyst. Extensive training in methods and information technology must be acquired before you can effectively reap the benefits from it. Some costs are also incurred from instructor-led training and specialized software which usually has annual subscription fees.
Having said that, we must not underestimate the benefits of accurate and reliable time standards produced by PMTS. One should know that time standards are the most fundamental elements in all operations in a factory. Data for scheduling, staffing, line balancing, wage payment, costing, etc… The cost of inaccurate or poor data quality adds up and becomes even more costly.
Globalization is driving an increasing number of garment making companies to adopt PMTS today. In the open leveled competing ground, winners will always be the one who has accurate information to enable them to make precise strategic decisions.
G.PRO IEES 