Work Sampling

WORK SAMPLING

Definition 1: Measuring and quantifying activities

“A measurement technique for the quantitative analysis of non-repetitive or irregularly occurring activity.”

Meaning of Work Sampling

Work sampling is based on the theory that the percentage of the number of observations on a particular activity is a reliable measure of the percentage of the total actual time spent on that activity.

Work sampling operates by an observer taking a series of random observations on a particular “thing” of interest (machine, operating room, dock, etc.) to observe its “state” (working, idle, sleeping, empty, etc.). When enough samples are taken, an analysis of the observations yields a statistically valid indication of the states for each thing analyzed.

Assume, for example, that you wish to determine the proportion of time a factory operator is working or idle. Also assume that 200 random observations were made of the operator and during 24 of these he or she was observed to be idle. Therefore, you find that the individual is working 176/200 = 88% of the time.