Question 1

Which of the following is not characteristic of time-based compensation plans?
A)stable labor costs
B)easier to administer than output-based plans
C)stable pay for workers
D)simpler wage computations than output-based plans
E)lower cost per unit than output-based plans

Accepted Answer

Time-based compensation plans are based on paying employees for the amount of time they work, regardless of their output or productivity. This typically results in stable labor costs and pay for workers, as well as simpler wage computations for employers. However, time-based plans are not necessarily easier to administer than output-based plans, as they require careful monitoring of employee hours and attendance. Additionally, because there is no incentive for increased productivity, time-based plans may result in higher costs per unit than output-based plans. Therefore, option E, lower cost per unit than output-based plans, is not characteristic of time-based compensation plans.

Question 2

A job has a normal time of 12 minutes, a performance rating of .80, and an allowance factor of 20 percent of job time.The standard time for this job in minutes is:
A)11.52
B)12
C)14.4
D)15
E)depends on the number of cycles observed

Accepted Answer

Standard Time = Normal Time x Performance Rating x (1 + Allowance Factor)
Standard Time = 12 x 0.80 x (1 + 0.20)
Standard Time = 12 x 0.80 x 1.20
Standard Time = 11.52 minutes

Therefore, the best choice is (C).

Question 3

The technique which can be used to estimate the percentage of time a worker or piece of equipment is idle is known as:
A)MTM
B)work sampling
C)methods analysis
D)micro motion study
E)none of these

Accepted Answer

Work sampling is the technique used to estimate the percentage of time a worker or piece of equipment is idle. It involves taking random samples at different times of day to calculate the proportion of time that a worker or equipment is either working or idle. MTM, methods analysis, and micro motion study are different techniques used for process improvement, but not specifically for estimating idle time.

Question 4

Allowance percentages normally would not include:
A)noise levels
B)monotony
C)personal phone calls
D)weight lifted
E)rest room allowances

Accepted Answer

The answer of Allowance percentages normally would not include:
A)noise levels
B)monotony
C)personal...

Question 5

A technique for estimating the proportion of time a worker spends on various activities is:
A)stopwatch time study
B)standard elemental (historical) times
C)simultaneous motion study
D)predetermined (published) time standards
E)work sampling

Accepted Answer

Work sampling is a technique used to estimate the proportion of time a worker spends on various activities by taking random samples of the worker's activities over a period of time.

Question 6

What number of observations would be required in a time study in order to obtain a 95 percent confidence that the average time observed was no more than 0.6 minutes from the true mean, assuming a standard deviation of cycle time of 1.8 minutes?

Accepted Answer

The answer of What number of observations would be required...

Question 7

What will be the effect on sample size in work sampling of increasing the permissible maximum error?
A)increase the number of observations needed
B)decrease the number of observations needed
C)no effect on sample size
D)sometimes increase and sometimes decrease the sample size, depending on the analyst
E)impossible to say without additional information

Accepted Answer

Increasing the permissible maximum error in work sampling will decrease the number of observations needed because a larger error margin allows for a less precise estimate, requiring fewer samples.

Question 8

In stopwatch time study, adjusting the normal time by an allowance factor for normal delays and interruptions results in the:
A)observed time
B)normal time
C)standard time
D)allowance time
E)performance rating time

Accepted Answer

Adjusting the normal time by an allowance factor for normal delays and interruptions results in the standard time in stopwatch time study. The observed time is the actual time taken to perform a task using the stopwatch without any allowances, normal time is the calculated time without any adjustments, allowance time is the time added for non-normal circumstances, and performance rating time is a measure of how well a worker performs compared to standard time.

Question 9

An initial time study resulted in an average observed time of 2.2 minutes per cycle, and a standard deviation of 0.3 minutes per cycle.The performance rating was 1.20.What sample size, including the 20 observations in the initial study, would be necessary to have a confidence of 95.44 percent that the observed time was within 4 percent of the true value?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An initial time study resulted in an...

Question 10

Which of the following is not an advantage of work sampling compared to stopwatch time study?
A)There is little or no disruption of work.
B)It is less susceptible to short-term fluctuations.
C)Workers are less resentful.
D)It is less costly and less time-consuming.
E)It is better suited for short, repetitive tasks.

Accepted Answer

Work sampling is better suited for longer, less repetitive tasks that can be observed over a period of time. Stopwatch time study is more appropriate for short, repetitive tasks. Therefore, E is not an advantage of work sampling compared to stopwatch time study.

Question 11

Standard times derived from a firm's historical data are known as:
A)predetermined times
B)MTM
C)work sampling times
D)judgmental times
E)standard elemental times

Accepted Answer

The answer of Standard times derived from a firm's historical...

Question 12

Methods analysis and motion study techniques develop which aspect of jobs?
A)behavioral aspects
B)efficiency aspects
C)pay levels
D)all of the above
E)none of the above

Accepted Answer

Methods analysis and motion study techniques focus on improving the efficiency and productivity of jobs by eliminating unnecessary movements and improving work methods. Therefore, it mainly targets the efficiency aspect of jobs.

Question 13

Which sample proportion will require the largest number of work sampling observations?
A).05
B).25
C).50
D).75
E).95

Accepted Answer

The answer of Which sample proportion will require the largest...

Question 14

An analyst has observed 28 work cycles, for which the average cycle time was five minutes and the performance rating was 1.05.Allowances for the department are 25 percent of job time.What standard time is appropriate for this job?

Accepted Answer

The answer of An analyst has observed 28 work cycles,...

Question 15

The design of work systems involves:
A)work measurement
B)job design
C)compensation
D)all of the above
E)use of outside human resource consultants

Accepted Answer

The design of work systems involves work measurement, job design, and compensation. These are all important elements that should be considered in designing an effective work system. Additionally, sometimes companies may use outside human resource consultants to help with the design of their work systems, but this is not always necessary.

Question 16

In work sampling, observations should be taken:
A)at the same time each day
B)within a short period of time
C)at randomly determined times
D)once every hour
E)once every day

Accepted Answer

Work sampling is a statistical technique used to analyze work processes by taking random observations at various times throughout the day, week or month. Random observations provide a fair and unbiased representation of worker activities and help to minimize any variability resulting from specific times of day or day of the week. Therefore, it is most appropriate to take observations at randomly determined times.

Question 17

A job had an observed time of 10 minutes, a performance rating of .90, and an allowance factor of 20 percent of job time.Twenty-five cycles were timed.Standard time for the job in minutes is:
A)10.0
B)10.8
C)12.5
D)15.0
E)depends on the number of cycles observed

Accepted Answer

The answer of A job had an observed time of...

Question 18

Which of the following statements should not characterize an operations strategy toward the design of work systems?
A)Manufacturing technology is the heart of a business.
B)Workers can make or break a business.
C)Workers can be a valuable source of insights.
D)A spirit of cooperation can contribute to success.
E)Workers can be proud and respected.

Accepted Answer

While manufacturing technology is certainly an important aspect of operations strategy, it should not be considered the heart of the business when designing work systems. The focus should be on designing work systems that support the goals and objectives of the business while also considering the needs and abilities of the workers. Therefore, statement A should not be a characterizing statement of an operations strategy towards the design of work systems.

Question 19

A disadvantage of teams is:
A)higher quality
B)higher productivity
C)greater worker satisfaction
D)team member conflict
E)lower turnover

Accepted Answer

One disadvantage of teams is team member conflict. While teams can provide benefits such as higher quality, productivity, and worker satisfaction, conflict among team members can cause dysfunction and decreased performance.

Question 20

A time study of a job produced the following: average cycle time = 1.5 minutes, performance rating = 1.15.Allowances are 18 percent of the work day (480 minutes).Determine the standard time for this job.

Accepted Answer

The answer of A time study of a job produced...

Quiz 7: Work Design and Measurement

Which of the following is not characteristic of time-based compensation plans?

A job has a normal time of 12 minutes, a performance rating of .80, and an allowance factor of 20 percent of job time.The standard time for this job in minutes is:

The technique which can be used to estimate the percentage of time a worker or piece of equipment is idle is known as:

Allowance percentages normally would not include:

A technique for estimating the proportion of time a worker spends on various activities is:

What number of observations would be required in a time study in order to obtain a 95 percent confidence that the average time observed was no more than 0.6 minutes from the true mean, assuming a standard deviation of cycle time of 1.8 minutes?

What will be the effect on sample size in work sampling of increasing the permissible maximum error?

In stopwatch time study, adjusting the normal time by an allowance factor for normal delays and interruptions results in the:

Which of the following is not an advantage of work sampling compared to stopwatch time study?

Standard times derived from a firm's historical data are known as:

Methods analysis and motion study techniques develop which aspect of jobs?

Which sample proportion will require the largest number of work sampling observations?

An analyst has observed 28 work cycles, for which the average cycle time was five minutes and the performance rating was 1.05.Allowances for the department are 25 percent of job time.What standard time is appropriate for this job?

The design of work systems involves:

In work sampling, observations should be taken:

A job had an observed time of 10 minutes, a performance rating of .90, and an allowance factor of 20 percent of job time.Twenty-five cycles were timed.Standard time for the job in minutes is:

Which of the following statements should not characterize an operations strategy toward the design of work systems?

A disadvantage of teams is:

A time study of a job produced the following: average cycle time = 1.5 minutes, performance rating = 1.15.Allowances are 18 percent of the work day (480 minutes).Determine the standard time for this job.