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time and motion study

time and motion study

5.5
A study that measures how long each part of a job takes to find a faster way
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : estudio de tiempos y movimientos
  • The factory conducted a time and motion study to improve efficiency.

Examples

  • After conducting a time and motion study, the team identified several areas for improvement.

  • The company ordered a time and motion study to streamline its manufacturing process.

  • A thorough time and motion study can significantly increase workplace productivity.

  • Have you ever participated in a time and motion study?

  • A thorough time and motion study can significantly increase workplace productivity.

  • After conducting a time and motion study, the team identified several areas for improvement.

  • The company ordered a time and motion study to streamline its manufacturing process.

Synonyms

work study
vstime and motion study
  • UK
1 4.1

A careful check of a job to find faster, easier ways to do it

is more focused on measuring each part rather than general job improvement
motion study
vstime and motion study
  • Specialized
1 5.3

A careful look at how a job is done to find faster, easier steps

aims to measure each part's duration and effort rather than only minimizing overall
time-and-motion study
vstime and motion study
  • Specialized
6.0

People watch how workers do a job to find the fastest, easiest way to do it

is the same analysis written without hyphens
time-motion study
vstime and motion study
  • Specialized
6.2

A careful timing of movements to find faster ways to do a job

focuses on duration and effort for each part rather than only small actions
time study
vstime and motion study
  • Specialized
5.3

A careful measure of how long a task takes to find faster ways to do it

measures duration and effort for each part rather than the whole job

How Systematic

work study
  • UK
1 4.1
time and motion study
  • Specialized
5.5
time study
  • Specialized
5.3
observation
  • Specialized
57 3.2

Surface Forms

Morphology

time + and + motion + study

The phrase is compositionally built from its parts: a 'study' (investigation) of 'time' and 'motion' (the durations and physical movements involved in tasks). This direct, literal combination makes the core meaning (an analysis measuring time and movement to improve procedures) inferable to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words; the concept is also expressed similarly in many other languages.

Etymology

The phrase time and motion study comes from early factory work where people watched workers with a stopwatch to measure time and counted each motion to see how tasks were done. So, it now means a careful study of a job 'to find the best and fastest way' to do the work.