Method study is the process of subjecting work to systematic, critical scrutiny to make it more effective and/or more efficient. It is one of the keys to achieving productivity improvement.

Method study is basically conducted to simplify the work or working methods and must go towards higher productivity. It is always desirable to perform the requisite function with desired goal minimum consumption of resources. Method signifies how a work is to be done i.e. description of how we consume resources in order to achieve our target.

It was originally designed for the analysis and improvement of repetitive manual work but it can be used for all types of activity at all levels of an organization.

The process is often seen as a linear, described by its main steps of:

• Select (the work to be studied);
• Record (all relevant information about that work);
• Examine (the recorded information);
• Develop (an improved way of doing things);
• Install (the new method as standard practice);
• Maintain (the new standard proactive).

Methods are integral part of work accomplishment and signify:

1. How well our methods utilize the limited available resources such as manpower, machines, materials and money.
2. How our methods physically affect production output of the unit.
3. The quality of output obtained by application of our methods.

Thus methods can determine the amount of input materials, time power and money consumed. So methods may be considered the core where one can attempt to reduce the consumption of resources thereby reducing cost per unit output through utilization of proper methods. The method design can decided the cost and quality of output produced

There are three aspects of its application:

1. Method study proper is concerned with broad investigation and improvement of a shop/section, the layout of equipment and machines and the movement of men and materials.
2. Motion study is a more detailed investigation of the individual worker/ operator, layout of his machines, tools, jigs and fixtures and movement of his limbs when he performs his job. The ergonomics aspect i.e. study of environment, body postures, noise level and surroundings temperature also form part of investigation.
3. Micro motion study i.e. much more detailed investigation of very rapid movements of the various limbs of the worker.

So, motion study is an analysis of the flow and processing of material and the movements of men through or at various work stations. Thus motion study analyses the human activities which make up an operation. Whereas method study or methods analysis has been defined as: “systematic procedure for the critical analysis of movements made by men, materials and machines in performing any work”.

Now because by definition method study includes the study of all facets of human work and all factors affecting the work so motion study be considered as a part of method study.

Scope of Method Study:

The task of work simplification and compatible work system design concerns the followings:

1. Layout of shop floor and working areas or work stations.
2. Working conditions i.e. ergonomics etc.
3. Handling distances (material movement)
4. Tooling and equipment used.
5. Quality standards to be achieved.
6. Operators and operations in achieving the production targets.
7. Materials to be used.
8. Power required and available.
9. Work cycle time.
10. Working processes.

All these factors are related to method study and possible improvements may be:

a) Short term:

The improvements which can be introduced quickly and economically. These may be concerned with management and work force.

b) Long term:

The improvements which are not acceptable to management at present and which require good investment. Improvement approach to method design is essential since a method describes how resource are to be used in order to convert them into desired output (final products) in order to accomplish the purpose through a network of facilities.