Predetermined Time Standards (PTS) - Process Design

This is a work measurement technique whereby times established for basic human motions (classified according to the nature of the motion and the conditions under which they are made) are used to build up the time for the job at a defined level of performance. 

The advantages of this approach are that it: 

• Is quicker and cheaper than time study
• May be more reliable (based on a large number of studies)
• Valuable for planning and estimating new jobs
• Can be introduced at the start of a new job
• Is particularly useful for short runs
• Has rating already incorporated

Over 200 systems have been developed e.g. work factor, master clerical data, master standard data and method time measurement (MTM), and software applications such as MTM-LINK, MOST, MODAPTS. 

MTM, in one or other of its categories, is most widely used. It has variants, presenting the information at different levels of detail, but they are all based on extensive film-analysis of the basic motions concerned. Tables are provided giving the times for the movements under different circumstances, and expressed in time measurement units (1 TMU = 0.00001 hr = 0.036 secs) at a rating of 83. This table presents the results of applying the MTM-2 system to the task of fitting a washer and nut on a threaded stud.