An important role of an industrial engineer (IE) is to remain independent and objective. A good IE will only suggest, advise, and recommend based upon the results of the study. If the credibility of the IE is compromised future studies will be seen as suspect. A properly designed study will reflect the actual work situation independent of underperformers that stubbornly participate in a study only because they have no choice. Upon the conclusion of a study by PF&D Services, management has the data to act upon with study recommendations and a true understanding of workload without unrealistic expectations.

Malcolm Gladwell writes in his book, Outliers: The Story of Success, about the 10,000 Hour Rule. This rule states “The idea that excellence at performing a complex task requires a critical minimum level of practice surfaces again and again in studies of expertise. In fact, researchers have settled on what they believe is the magic number for true expertise: ten thousand hours “. (p.40). At 2,000 hours per year (40 hrs/wk x 50 wks/yr) it would take five years working full time on work measurement to achieve the level of expert. PF&D Services, LLC can provide you the expertise from an IE with over 25 years of real work measurement experience!

Many IEs believe work measurement is an entry level task for newly graduated engineers and it’s a rite of passage to move beyond work measurement. When you conduct work measurement accurately you understand the situation and have the facts. No one can argue the facts and the discussion becomes now that we know, what do we do?