Configure Tasks and Categories
What Is a Task?
A task is a specific activity that the worker may be performing at the moment of the observation. For example: "Welding", "Waiting for material", "Talking".
The 3 Main Categories
Each task must be classified into one of these categories:
Productive
Activities that add value to the product or service.
Non-productive
Activities that are not work or justified delays.
Delay
Interruptions out of the worker's control.
💡 Why Separate Non-productive from Delay?
Delays are system problems (logistics, machinery, planning) that management must solve. Non-productive time depends more on the worker. Distinguishing them allows you to take the right actions.
Add a Task
- Go to the "Configuration" tab
- Find the "Tasks" section
- Click "+ Add Task"
- Fill in the form:
Example: Typical Tasks List
For an assembly line, you might define these tasks:
| Task | Category | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Assembling | Productive | Joining product parts |
| Preparing material | Productive | Organising parts to assemble |
| Inspecting | Productive | Checking quality |
| Packing | Productive | Packaging the finished product |
| Waiting for material | Delay | No parts to work on |
| Waiting for instructions | Delay | Needs supervision |
| Machine breakdown | Delay | Equipment out of service |
| Break | Delay | Authorised pause |
| Talking | Non-productive | Non-work conversation |
| Absent | Non-productive | Not at the station |
Tasks per Station
You can associate tasks with specific stations:
- Global tasks: Available for all stations (e.g.: "Talking")
- Specific tasks: Only for certain stations (e.g.: "Welding" only for Welder)
Import / Export Tasks
If you have a standard tasks list, you can:
- Import from Excel: Upload a file with the list
- Export configuration: Save the configuration to reuse it
💡 Tip
Start with a few well-defined tasks (8-15). You can add more during the study if you discover activities you hadn't considered.
🎯 End of Module 2
Congratulations! Your study is now fully configured. In the next module you'll learn how to generate the observation plan and start recording data.