Time and motion study

Frank and Lillian Gilberth, in their time and motion study, developed what they called "therbligs" (Gilbreth spells backwards with the t and h transposed). The therbligs is a classification scheme from labelling 17 basic hand motions.

The time and motion study looked to reduce the number of motions in performing a task in order to increase productivity. The best known experiment involved bricklaying. Through carefully scrutinising a bricklayer's job, Frank Gilberth reduced the number of motions in laying a brick from 18 to about 5. Hence the bricklayer both increased productivity and decreased fatigue.

Robbins, S.P., Bergman, R., Stagg, L, & Coulter, M. (2003) Managment (3rd Edition). Sydney, Australia: Prentice Hall