» This is an example of a tally sheet that can be used when observing and recording technicians at work. 16 Fleet Maintenance | APRIL 2017 » To improve technician productivity, their work needs to be measured to discover areas of potential efficiency and effectiveness improvement. The objective is to uncover marginally or non-productive activities so that changes can be made to improve methods, processes, efforts and systems. Photo courtesy of U.S. Air Force 3. Train others to conduct the study and randomly vary the observer. 4. Select random times for observation. Plan four to six tours per day, allowing a reasonable time between tours. If the selected time runs into lunch or other established breaks, skip that tour. 5. A principle for success in work sampling is impartiality. Do not prejudge what you see or mix in outside factors – for example, if you think you know that someone is a “good” or “bad” worker. You are trying to analyze the system, not the people. Do not focus on what the people were doing or what they were about to do. Concentrate only on what they are currently doing. 6. Record a person’s activity before you are seen by them. Tally Sheet When compiling your information, use one time tally sheet per shift (see the accompanying Sample Tally Sheet). Use a separate sheet for each observer. Fill out the random times and random tour routes in advance. Enter them in the observation time and observation route rows on the sheet. Conduct the tours using the routes indicated at the times indicated. Record the number of technicians at work the day of the observation. Th at is the number of observations you will make each tour. Enter that number in the available manpower row. During each tour, record the observation elements – what is being done – in the column of the specifi c observation time. You can use tally marks as you walk through. Tally one element (check mark) per observation, per person, per tour. If you observe crew members working in the wrong area or on the wrong job, make your observations where they are. Don’t judge where or what they are doing, just if they are working. At the end of each shift , total the observations and transfer to this to a recap sheet. An alternative to manual work sampling methods is the ISampler iPhone App, developed by Joel Levitt. It is a free, complete system with one-click reporting that enables quick and easy work sampling. To learn more, visit: http://www. work-sample.com. Conclusion In general, most maintenance managers have only a vague idea of how their technicians spend their time. By employing work sampling, the types of activities that technicians perform and the amount of time they spend on each activity can be identifi ed. Armed with such information, managers can make decisions regarding allocation of technicians and activities to increase their effi ciency and eff ectiveness. With improved shop productivity, more work can be done in less time; that reduces vehicle downtime. Realize, though, that productivity – which is also infl uenced by technician motivation and commitment – is not just a labor issue. Better tools and equipment, shop and work area layout and design, as well as improved technician education and training also can contribute to increased technician and shop productivity. JOEL LEVITT DIRECTOR OF PROJECTS, RELIABILITY LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE, RELIABILITYWEB. COM Joel Levitt is director of projects for Reliabilityweb.com’s Reliability Leadership Institute. Reliabilityweb. com provides the latest reliability and uptime maintenance news and educational information.
FleetMaintenance_April_2017
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