Ingeniería de Métodos y Análisis de Operaciones / Methods Engineering & Operations Analysis

 Look/Analyze,Measure/Analyze,Improve,Control/Analyze

Methods engineering is the analysis and design of work methods and systems, including the tooling, equipment, technologies, workplace layout, plant layout, work environment and human capital management.

Other names for methods engineering:

• Work study, Work simplification, Methods study, Process re-engineering, Business process re-engineering, Continuous Improvements

Objectives in Methods Engineering:

• Increase productivity and efficiency, Reduce cycle time, Reduce product cost, Reduce labor content, Improve customer satisfaction, Improve product and/or service quality, Reduce lead times and improve work flow, Increase flexibility of work system, Improve worker safety, Apply more ergonomic work methods, Enhance the environment (both inside and outside the facility)

Operational Analysis

Study of an operation or group of related operations for the purpose of analyzing their efficiency and effectiveness so that improvements can be developed relative to specified objectives.

Objectives in operations analysis

• Increase productivity, Reduce time and cost, Improve safety and quality

“Methods engineering and operations analysis are very similar, except that methods engineering places more emphasis on design”

How to Apply Methods Engineering

Can be divided into two areas:

• Methods analysis
• Methods design

Methods analysis is concerned with the study of an existing method or process.

Systematic Approach in Methods Engineering

• Has its basic in the scientific method used in science, research and development, engineering design, and other problem areas.
• The systematic approach in methods engineering consists of the steps described below.

Step 1: Define the Problem and Objectives. 

The problem in methods engineering study may be low productivity, high cost, production cycle time, standby,   inefficient methods, or the need for a new method or a new operation. The objective is the desired improvement or new methods design. Possible objectives are to increase productivity, reduce labor content and cost, improve safety, or develop a new method, new operation or improve information flows.

Step 2: Analyze the Problem. Data collection and analysis activities for the type of problem being studied.

Activities often used in this step include the following:

• Identify the basic function of the operation.
• Gather background information.
• Observe the existing process or observe similar processes if the problem involves a new work design.
• Collect data on the existing operation and document the details in a format that provides itself to examination.
• Conduct experiments on the process.
• Develop a mathematical model of the process or utilize an existing mathematical model.
• Perform a computer simulation of the process.
• Use charting techniques.

Step 3: Formulate Alternatives. There are always multiple ways to perform a task or accomplish a process, some of which are more efficient and effective than others. The purpose of this step in the problem-solving approach that is not to identify the best alternative but to formulate all of the alternatives that are feasible.

Step 4: Evaluate Alternatives and Select the Best. This step consists of a systematic assessment of the alternatives and the selection of the best solution among them, based on the original definition of the problem and objectives.

Step 5: Implement the Best Method. Implementation means installing the selected solution: introducing the changes proposed in the existing method or operation, or installing the new method or process.

• This may involve pilot studies or trials of the new or revised.
• Implementation also includes complete documentation of the new or revised method and replacement of the previous documentation.

Step 6: Audit the Study. Perform an audit or follow-up on the methods engineering project.

• How successful was the project in terms of the original problem definition and objectives

What were the implementation issues?

What should be done differently in the next methods engineering study?

For an organization committed to continuous improvement, answers to these kinds of questions help to fine-tune its problem-solving and decision-making skills.

Techniques of Methods Engineering

• Data gathering and statistical tools
• Charting and diagramming techniques
• Motion study and work design
• Facility layout planning
• Work measurement techniques
• New approaches

Basis Data Collection & Analysis Tools

• Histograms
• Pareto charts
• Pie charts
• Check sheets
• Defect concentration diagrams
• Scatter diagrams
• Cause and effect diagrams
• Hypothesis testing

What is Facility Layout?

Refers to the size and shape of a facility, the arrangement of the different functions and/or departments in it, and the way the equipment is positioned.

Plays a significant role in determining the overall efficiency of the operations accomplished in the facility.

Objectives are to maximize

• Customer satisfaction
• Utilization of space, equipment, & people
• Efficient flow of information, material, & people
• Employee morale & safety

 Problem area includes:

• Design of a new facility
• Installing new equipment, retiring old equipment
• Expanding (or contracting) an existing facility

How do you conduct a plant layout project?

• Define or redefine the goals of the facility
• Specify the activities to be performed in accomplishing the goals
• Determine the interrelationships among all activities
• Determine the space requirements for all activities
• Generate alternative facility layouts
• Evaluate alternative facility layouts
• Select a facility layout 
• Implement facility layouts
• Maintain and adapt the facility layout

Work Measurement Techniques

Four basic work measurement techniques:

• Direct time study
• Predetermined motion time systems (PMTS)
• Standard data systems
• Work sampling

PMTS and work sampling can be often used in methods engineering to make improvements in the work methods

Predetermined motion time system (PMTS) is a database of basic motion elements and their associated normal time values, and it includes procedures for applying the database to analyze manual tasks and establish standard times for the tasks.

The principal application of a PMTS is to determine standard times.

Work sampling is a statistical technique for determining the proportions of time spent by workers or machines in various categories of activity.

It can be applied to determine machine utilization, worker utilization, and the average time spent performing various types of activities. As such it can be a useful tool in methods engineering for identifying areas that need attention.

For example:

• If a work sampling study finds that workers in a facility spend large amounts of their time waiting for work, then this is a management problem that should be addressed.
• If a work sampling study finds that workers in a facility spend large amounts of their time walking out side of their area of work, then this is a management problem that should be addressed.
• If a work sampling study finds that in the process there are a high level of no value cycle time, then this is a management problem that should be addressed.