Structured time observation of human modelling tool users' activites
Author
Summary, in English
Most statements regarding human modeling tools efficiency are based on perceived time. No structured time
observation of task activities performed by a simulation engineers working with the tools are previous performed.
The aim of the study is to identify digital human modelling tool users’ activates and measure the time distribution
of the activities. Furthermore, measured time distribution is compare with users perceived time distribution.
Five simulation engineers at Volvo were observed for five days each. The simulation engineers’ activities can be
categorised in twelve groups. The direct value added work and the indirect value added work important for a new
introduced tool were of similar size as direct value added work for a vehicle disassembly worker. Waiting time, there
simulation is out of control e.g. waiting for information from colleague and computer processor, was perceived much
longer compared to measured time.
The human modelling tool seems to have matured and most of the activities identified seems to be necessary to
perform human modelling simulations of high quality; however the time distribution could to some extend be
questioned. There are a lot of activities associated with communication, i.e. different kinds of contacts and meetings.
Therefore it appears to be a potential to increase efficiency with respect to communication.
observation of task activities performed by a simulation engineers working with the tools are previous performed.
The aim of the study is to identify digital human modelling tool users’ activates and measure the time distribution
of the activities. Furthermore, measured time distribution is compare with users perceived time distribution.
Five simulation engineers at Volvo were observed for five days each. The simulation engineers’ activities can be
categorised in twelve groups. The direct value added work and the indirect value added work important for a new
introduced tool were of similar size as direct value added work for a vehicle disassembly worker. Waiting time, there
simulation is out of control e.g. waiting for information from colleague and computer processor, was perceived much
longer compared to measured time.
The human modelling tool seems to have matured and most of the activities identified seems to be necessary to
perform human modelling simulations of high quality; however the time distribution could to some extend be
questioned. There are a lot of activities associated with communication, i.e. different kinds of contacts and meetings.
Therefore it appears to be a potential to increase efficiency with respect to communication.
Department/s
Publishing year
2006
Language
English
Document type
Conference paper
Topic
- Production Engineering, Human Work Science and Ergonomics
Keywords
- automotive industry
- time distribution
- digital human modelling
- working process
Conference name
IEA2006 congress – Meeting diversity in ergonomics
Conference date
2006-07-10 - 2006-07-14
Conference place
Netherlands
Status
Published