Automated derivation of MTM analyses from VR data using MTMmotion® – process evaluation and comparison with manual analysis

In companies where a significant share of work consists of manual activities, costs, particularly labor costs, play a crucial role in both national and international competition. To describe, evaluate and analyze these manual work processes, the MTM (Methods-Time Measurement) method can be applied. However, MTM analyses created using this method are time-consuming and require expert knowledge, which limits their widespread and frequent application. This challenge can be addressed with digital tools such as motion capturing, human simulation or virtual reality (VR). These tools already provide some of the information required to perform an accurate and compliant MTM analysis. For this reason, the MTM ASSOCIATION e. V. developed the MTMmotion® service, which enables users to generate an MTM analysis from data provided by various technologies. To illustrate the benefits of a semi-automated MTM analysis, a workflow was modeled and performed in a VR environment and translated into an MTM analysis using MTMmotion®. This workflow also served as the basis for a conventional MTM analysis of the same activities. This article compares the two methods (digital and manual) in terms of the effort required to prepare and perform the analyses, the differences in the input data, the accuracy of the results and the applicability in different planning phases. The main finding is that the digital method is less time consuming than the manual approach and can produce valid MTM analyses early in the planning process with minimal effort, enabling timely adjustments to workplace and process design.