Common Time Study Mistakes

Even experienced teams can undermine the value of a time study by making avoidable errors. Here are the most frequent mistakes and how to prevent them:

  1. Inadequate or Biased Sampling
  2. Poor or Missing Allowances
  3. Inconsistent or Biased Pace Rating
  4. Hawthorne Effect (Observer Influence)
  5. Treating Standards as Static
  6. Poor Communication and Lack of Worker Involvement
  7. Using Data Punitively

Avoiding these mistakes dramatically increases the credibility, accuracy, and long-term value of time study work.