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Steady State Workload Analysis
Steady state workload is determined through a
variation on traditional time and motion studies, which Beville
refers to as job sampling. Job sampling data serves three different
purposes. First, it delineates current operator workload
characteristics. Second, the data can be used to project future
state loading for the reorganized positions. Third, the data provide
a benchmark to evaluate the impact of future changes.
To perform job sampling, operators are observed in
two four-hour time increments, one during peak workload and one
during a lower workload period. The four-hour increment is used to
capture the variety of activities that can occur during an
operator’s shift. One of the many advantages of job sampling over
other techniques, such as rating scales, is that it is based on
actual, observed operator tasks and behavior. Reliability checks on
the technique show 94% reliability.
The primary output of job sampling is the volume
of work that must be performed by operations personnel. Histograms
of the percentage of time spent on different tasks (such as
administrative or operational tasks) are created for each sample or
position
(click here for an example). The results are compared to job
samples in Beville’s database of nearly
six hundred
operating positions, and these comparisons can be based upon job
type, unit type, or many other variables. These comparisons help
pinpoint the areas that are in need of improvement and can show when
it is necessary to reduce or increase a position's workload.
In addition to the volume of work that must be
performed, job sampling provides objective data on a variety of
operator activities. For board operators, sample data can indicate
CRT usage, displays viewed, and control actions taken. For all
operators, communication frequency and patterns are captured, along
with such activities as maintenance interaction and operational
requirements.
For further information, visit the
links below.
Workload/Staffing Analysis
Overview /
Steady State Job Samples
/ Upset Response
Staffing Analysis
View all related
Workload newsletters by
clicking here
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