An Improved Method for Setting Time Standards for Maintenance Work

Abstract

Comparative Estimating is a work measurement technique which can be used for setting time standards on low repetitive tasks, such as may be met with in the maintenance area. It has been in wide use since 1955 and has probably been more commonly known as Universal Maintenance Standards (UMS). Since its introduction, the concepts of UMS have hardly changed and several reasons could be put forward for this; however, they would be speculative and would serve no real purpose. What is more important is that after almost 30 years it is perhaps time to re-examine the concept. In this paper the concept of Comparative Estimating is re-examined and an alternative approach, which has several advantages, is suggested. Its basic concept is first described with reference to UMS, identifying the problems of time and cost which are associated with this approach. The alternative approach is then outlined. The advantages which can be obtained from this approach are then identified by comparing some of the performance characteristics of the two approaches.