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Without using laboratory techniques of research, there are "armchair" methods leading to improvement of methods of work. These include but go beyond the objective of changing, reducing, or eliminating motions. They are particularly useful when charting would be very laborious, When the amount of detail in charting might obscure the major objective, When only one person is available for the analysis, and when establishing a new procedure.
Gilbreth questions. The famous Gilbreth questions to be answered for improving a specific task are the backbone of the armchair methods. They are What, When, Where, By Whom, and How. The Why question is really a preliminary to be answered about the task as a whole as well as about each part of the task. "Why" reflects values and standards and when truthfully answered, may indicate that a given task need not be done at all. Omitting it may be the most complete kind of work simplification. "Why" is to be answered again in relation to every aspect of the task. The What question involves breaking down a task into its parts. The minimum analysis into parts is three: "get ready," "do," and "clean up." The balance among these parts bears watching to see that the preparation, or "get ready," and the clean-up are not excessive as compared with the most important part, the "do." The How question has many answers from improved body mechanics to the use of different equipment.
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