Method Module: The Foundation of Your Time Studies
Define, classify, and manage the work elements that make up your time study for accurate standard time calculation.
What is the Method Module in CRONOMETRAS?
The Method Module is the fundamental component of CRONOMETRAS where you define the structure of your time and motion study. Here you can create, classify, and manage all the work elements that make up your study, establishing the foundation for accurate standard time calculation.
Element Classification by Man-Machine Relationship
Modern industrial time study requires clearly differentiating element types according to their relationship with machinery, allowing precise time analysis:
- Machine Stopped (machine-stopped): Operations performed with the machine completely stopped, where the operator has full control over the execution time.
- Machine Running (machine-running): Manual activities performed while the machine operates automatically, optimizing productivity through task simultaneity.
- Machine Time (machine-time): Periods where the machine works autonomously, crucial for calculating production capacities and cycle times.
Classification by Repetition Pattern for Precise Time Studies
Effective work measurement requires correctly identifying the frequency of each element for an exact standard time calculation:
- Repetitive Elements: Operations that occur in each work cycle consistently, forming the basis of the regular cycle time. Fundamental for establishing the base production rhythm.
- Frequency Elements: Activities that appear with a specific frequency (every N cycles), such as adjustments, verifications, or replenishments. Their correct assignment is crucial for accurate standard time calculation.
Work Element Creation and Editing
The time study software CRONOMETRAS offers an intuitive form to define each element with precision:
- Detailed Description: Field to document the operation precisely, facilitating its identification during timing and subsequent analysis.
- Complete Classification:
- Type according to man-machine relationship (stopped, running, machine time)
- Repetition pattern (repetitive or frequency)
- Frequency Configuration: For frequency elements, define exactly:
- Number of repetitions per cycle
- Number of cycles between occurrences
- Automatic Validations: The system automatically adjusts the repetition type to ‘machine-type’ when ‘machine-time’ is selected, avoiding data inconsistencies.
Voice Recognition for Efficient Time Studies
Optimize your time and motion study with dictation technology that streamlines field documentation:
- Hands-Free Dictation: Ideal for industrial environments where mobility and speed are essential.
- Multilingual: Works perfectly in Spanish and English, adapting to international teams.
- Intelligent Detection: Automatically ends after 2 seconds of silence, optimizing workflow.
- Clear Feedback: Specific messages for each possible issue (microphone not detected, permissions denied, etc.).
Element Library: Standardization and Consistency
The standard time calculation tool includes a powerful library that ensures consistency between studies:
- Element Reuse: Import predefined elements with all their attributes, ensuring consistency between different studies and analysts.
- Intelligent Averaging: Select multiple similar elements to create a new element with averaged times and allowances, ideal for establishing standards based on historical data.
- Data Preservation: When importing elements, time records and allowances remain intact, preserving accumulated knowledge.
- Advanced Search: Quickly locate specific elements using filters by name, description, or type.
Advanced Work Method Management
Organize your method study with management tools that facilitate the logical structuring of work:
- Intuitive Reordering: Move elements up or down in the sequence with simple clicks, adapting the method to the actual sequence of operations.
- Contextual Editing: Access element editing directly from the main list.
- Safe Deletion: Delete elements with prior confirmation, including automatic cleanup of associated time records and allowances.
- Complete Visualization: See at a glance all elements with their key information: sequential number, description, type, and frequency.
Optimize Your Time and Motion Studies with CRONOMETRAS
The Method Module of CRONOMETRAS is the fundamental basis for conducting precise and professional time and motion studies. Unlike traditional industrial time study methods, our software allows you to:
- Precisely define each work element according to its relationship with machinery and repetition pattern
- Streamline documentation through advanced voice recognition
- Ensure consistency between studies with the element library
- Logically structure the work method with intuitive management tools
- Establish the foundation for accurate standard time calculation
According to recent studies on industrial productivity, companies implementing advanced work measurement systems like CRONOMETRAS achieve up to 30% reduction in time needed to conduct time and motion studies and 25% increase in the accuracy of their standards.