How often should time-motion studies be performed?

• A. Daily
• B. At predetermined intervals or when a new or change of responsibility occurs
• C. Weekly
• D. Whenever requested

Answer: (B)

Time-motion studies are used to evaluate how long tasks take within a workflow and to identify opportunities for improvement. The most effective cadence is to plan these studies at predetermined intervals and also whenever a new task is introduced or responsibilities change. This approach keeps data current and comparable over time, so you can see the impact of any process changes or staffing shifts.

Doing them daily would be unnecessarily labor-intensive and may not reflect stable operations. Measuring only when someone requests it introduces inconsistency and potential bias, making it hard to gauge true performance. By scheduling studies and re-measuring when duties shift, you maintain objective benchmarks and know when adjustments are needed.