using palm pilotstm: work measurement without a stopwatch ... · time study: price change validate...
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Using Palm PilotsTM: Work Measurement Without a Stopwatch and Clipboard
Bill Tolo, B.S.I.E., M.A.
May 20, 2003
Store Support: Workload Mission Statement
Understand store workload & optimize Develop accurate workload measurementsMeasure store workload & productivity rates for budgeted expense centers
Work Measurement Tools
Palm PilotsTM
M505M515 replaces M505
M100s (qty = 100)Palm ZireTM replaces M100
Laubrass Inc. UMTTM softwareLaptop/Desktop PC
Advantages of Using Palm PilotsTM (PDAs)
AccuracyTimelinessCapacity Additional DataStudy OpportunitiesEnd User SatisfactionDoable: Because You Can
Study Process
Design StudyWhich technique works best?
Collect DataIs it doable? Enough data in time
Analyze DataLet the data speak
Present FindingsNow that we know this, so what?
Work Measurement Techniques
Work SamplingNon-repetitive tasks : Indirect
Time StudyRepetitive tasks : Direct Observation
Engineered Data CollectionWorkload varies : Direct & Indirect
Work Measurement Projects
Work Sampling:Cash Office (self administered)
Time Study:Price Changes
Engineered Data Collection: Receipts Processing
Work Sampling: Cash Office
Objective: Measure current cash reconciliation processSelf Administered: data anonymousStudy Design: 11 stores, 2 weeksTask list 20 elements maximumResults: Over 10% budget reduction
Work Sampling:
Press green triangle to Start5 Samples/HourPress task buttonPress red button at end of shiftEveryday a study
Time Study: Price Change
Validate current budget methodologyNew process prints price ticketLarge workload variation
Jewelry, ties, dresses, dishes, swimwear, shoes, juniors, infants, men’s, handbagsMerchandise on sales floor/in stockroomsFirst and Further markdowns
Stores vary by density & volumeTicket over 46,000,000 annually
Time Study:Price Changes
Use start modeEnter qty under # keyEnter notes under paperclipPress hour glass for pausen= sample size
Time Study: Price Changes
Units = 304Hours = 2.174 (elemental time)Export to ExcelTM
Adjust for Performance and PF&D
Engineered Data Collection:Receipts Processing
Validate budget methodologyConduct studies by store typeEach trailer has unique merchandise mix: hardlines, softlines, cosmeticsObserve entire trailer start to finishAve 10-25 team members/trailerOver 100,000,000 units annually
WinsFocus on observationsReal Time sample sizeEasily to combine studiesStatistically eliminate or analyze
elements or observationsAdditional data
date & time for each observationAlready have a Palm PilotTM
Cool Factor vs. Nerd Factor
Learnings
Must communicate via laptopDo not have software on the networkData not backed up until it’s downloaded
Use Palm PilotsTM with rechargeable batteriesMust be Palm proficient to write notesHard to add elements “on the fly”
ConclusionsUse Work MeasurementNo one knows better than IEKnow the difference
“how long it should take” “how long it actually takes”
Palm PilotsTM are here to stayWork Sampling Results: 3 wks to 3 daysTime Study Results in 2 hrs
Acknowledgements
The concepts presented here apply to other hardware/software combinations.Examples are for learning purposes only. All registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners; Palm, Inc., Microsoft Corporation, and Laubrass, Inc.All rights reserved.
References
Aft, Larry. Work Measurement and Methods Improvement. John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2000.Niebel, Benjamin W. and Freivalds, Andris. Methods, Standards, and Work Design. McGraw Hill, 2003.Brassard,Charles. Laubrass, Inc., http://www.Laubrass.com/