Stopwatch Time Study

How to use the Stopwatch Time Study

A time study captures how long each work element really takes on the floor, which is the starting point for takt, balancing and standard work.

1. Break the job into elements with clear start and end points.
2. Press lap at the end of each element and repeat for 10 or more cycles.
3. Use the lowest repeatable time as the target and investigate any cycle that is far above average.

Worked example

Ten cycles of a packing job give times between 52 and 81 seconds. Nine cycles are under 58 seconds. The 81-second cycle came from a missing carton, which is a material supply problem rather than an operator problem, so it is fixed separately and the standard is set at about 55 seconds.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Timing only one or two cycles.
• Not explaining the purpose to the operator, which changes how they work.
• Mixing in waiting between elements without recording it as a separate element.

Frequently asked questions

How many cycles should a time study include?

Usually at least 10. More cycles are needed when the process varies a lot.

Should I use the average or the lowest time?

Use the lowest repeatable time for standard work and the average for capacity planning. Investigate any large gaps between the two.

Can the time study be used without internet?

Yes. Signed-in users can download the tool and use it offline on a tablet or laptop.