Time Study: guide & examples

What is it, and why use it?

A Time Study records process steps and observations of processing, waiting, interruption and rework. It makes the use of time explicit rather than relying on impressions.

It helps teams locate delays and variation, and distinguish work time from elapsed waiting.

When to use it

Use it when there is a defined sequence or activity to observe and a practical way to collect comparable timings.

When another tool fits better

Use a Flowchart first if the route is unclear. Use Value Stream Mapping to examine the wider flow and demand context.

Before you start

• A study purpose, boundary, named steps and consistent timing units.
• A sampling approach covering relevant conditions and roles.
• Permission to observe work without collecting personal or patient identifiers.

Use fictional or approved non-sensitive information. Do not include patient details or proprietary records in practice worksheets.

Step-by-step in CI Tools

1. 1

   Define study context and process steps, then enter observations with their units and inclusion status.

2. 2

   For direct observation, open Live timer and choose the step before starting. Classify processing, waiting, interruption and rework consistently.

3. 3

   Stop and review the timer, then save the reviewed observation. Unknown gaps after refresh are excluded; an unsaved running timer is not part of an exported worksheet.

4. 4

   Use filters and chart choices to examine patterns. Exports retain all raw observations even when the current view is filtered.

5. 5

   Check for overlapping intervals before interpreting additive totals. Save the editable worksheet and retain the raw observations alongside summaries.

Completed worked examples

Demonstrations only: all organizations, observations, targets and results below are fictional. They are not clinical instructions or universal performance standards.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

• Treating an unknown recovered gap as zero: keep it excluded and documented.
• Adding overlapping intervals as if they were sequential: review interval eligibility.
• Using only the fastest observation as the standard: retain variation and study context.

Interpret the result

Compare like-for-like steps, conditions and units. Averages can conceal wide variation; inspect individual observations and exclusions. Measured time alone does not determine safe staffing or acceptable clinical practice.

Record the assumptions and unanswered questions alongside the result. Use the relevant local review process before making operational decisions.

Related tools and recommended next steps

Use the next guide to answer a remaining question, rather than filling every worksheet simply because it is available.

Credible further learning

These independent educational resources explain the methods. They do not endorse CI Tools Suite. Some external resources have their own access requirements.

• Lean Enterprise Institute: Standardized Work (external resource)
• ASQ: Quality tools and templates (external resource)

Resource links reviewed 29 October 2026. Our interface instructions and fictional examples are original CI Tools learning material.