Frank and Lillian Gilbreth (of Cheaper by the Dozen fame) expanded on this by using frame-by-frame film study of workers performing tasks with a specially calibrated “microchronometer,” documenting worker micro-motions and the time they took.
More recently, with the tremendous growth in computing power and data collection, the ability to use technology to gather data about workers is ubiquitous, and bosses are eager to use these tools to maximize productivity and profits.
Today, most production targets heavily involve computers collecting data and computing efficiency metrics. Regardless of the specific details, all systems use the concept of “normal” time (the time needed for a normal worker performing at 100 percent pace), and then convert it to a “standard” time by adding time for personal needs, fatigue, and unavoidable delay (PFD).
This multiplier purports to account for the need to use the restroom, allow for the effect of physical, mental, and environmental fatigue, and reflect unexpected delays in the normal routine.
