M. O.S.T. – The Most Advanced Work Measurement Technique

M. O.S.T. – The Most Advanced Work Measurement Technique

 

Abstract: 

Work measurement for an operation is an essential step to understand the intensity of work and is the base for deployment of men/resources & to monitor & improve the effective utilization of the resources. 

 

This article is concerned with the intention to provide awareness of a particular work measurement technique called ‘Maynard Operation Sequence Technique’ (MOST). The objective of any work measurement technique is to reduce the work content and thereby improve the productivity of the process. Stop watch method, would generally take a lot of time for an Industrial Engineer, who will be standing right behind the operator & observing the various actions and noting down. This in turn has many hassles of irritation, willful delaying, and adding non-value activities by the operator. The biggest problem is that the worker/union feels that the whole estimate is unfair. MOST technique almost eliminated the uncomfortability for online workers.

 

1.Introduction: 

 

MOST is evolved by H.B. Maynard and Co. Inc., Pittsburgh, U.S. in 1970. It is based on MTM and is simplified greatly so as to be understood with a little bit of training and applied more easily for any job estimation. This new system was brought into practice in the U.S. in 1975. 

 

MOST was designed to be much faster than other work measurement techniques, as is shown below.

 

 

 

Work Measurement Technique 

Total TMU’s produced per analyst hour 

 

MTM – 1

300

MTM -  2

1,000

MTM – 3 

3,000

Mini MOST 

4,000

Basic MOST

12,000

Maxi MOST

25,000

 Table 1: TMU Analysis for different techniques 

 

 

Time Measurement Units (TMU): 

 

1 TMU = 1/28 of a SECOND = 0.036 SEC = 0.0006 MIN. = 0.00001 HOUR 

 

The advantages of M.O.S.T. over other work measurement techniques are: 

1. Easy to learn and understand. 

2. Can be applied directly from memory. 

3. Covered only under 3 sequence models – General Move, Controlled Move & Tool Use. 

4. Leads to Non-Value Added activities identification. 

5. Time can be calculated in advance and rating factor is not required. 

6. Reduced paperwork and staff for the application; hence economical. 

Thus, MOST will help you to reduce cost and improve productivity.

 

2.Concept of ‘MOST’ Work Measurement Technique: 

M.O.S.T. is a system to measure work, therefore concentrates on the movement of objects. It has been observed that the movements of objects follow certain consistent repeating patterns; such as reach, grasp, move, position object etc. In general the objects can be moved in two ways, either 

they are picked up and moved freely through space or they are moved while maintaining contact with another surface. 

 

For example, a transmission case can be picked up and carried from one end of a workbench to another or it can be pushed across the top of the workbench. For each type of move, a different sequence of events a separate M.O.S.T. sequence model is used. 

 

Consequently, three M.O.S.T. sequences are needed for describing manual work and a fourth for measuring the movements of objects with manual cranes. 

 

The General Move Sequence (for the movement of object freely through air) 

The Controlled Move Sequence (for the movement of object when it remains in contact with the surface or is restricted in its movement) 

The Tool Use Sequence (for the usage of common hand tools)

 

3.MOST Systems Family: 

 

a) Maxi MOST: 

At the highest level, Maxi MOST is used to analyze operations that are likely to be performed fewer that 150 times per week. An operation in this category ranges from less than 2 minutes to more than several hours.

 

b) Basic MOST: 

At the intermediate level, operations that are likely to be performed more than 150 but less than 1500 times per week should be analyzed with Basic MOST. An operation in this category ranges from a few seconds to 10 minutes. 

 

c) Mini MOST: 

At the lowest level, Mini MOST provides the most detailed analysis. Operations that are likely to be performed more than 1500 times per week should be analyzed with Mini MOST. An operation in this category may have cycle time 10 seconds or less.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. Basic Sequence Models: 

 

 

 

Activity

Sequence Model

Parameter

General Move 

ABG ABP A 

A – action distance 

B – body motion 

G – gain control 

P – placement 

 

Controlled Move 

ABG MXI A 

M – move controlled 

X – process time 

I – alignment 

 

Tool Use

ABG ABP * ABP A

F/L – fasten/loosen 

C – cut 

S – surface treat M – measure 

R – record 

T – think 

 

Table 2: Sequence Models

 

 

 

 

5. MOST Procedure: 

1. Watch job/task 

2. Determine sequence(s) to use 

3. Determine index values 

4. Add index values to determine TMU 

5. Multiply TMU by 10 

6. Convert TMU to seconds, minutes, hours