Two reports describe early phases of continuing studies directed toward the selection and adaptation of industrial work-measurement and methods-analysis procedures for application to the Orbiter Processing Facility (OPF) at Kennedy Space Center. These studies were prompted by a need to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and productivity in the face of budget reductions. In the work-measurement study, (1) candidate work-measurement techniques were selected on the basis of feasibility, (2) similar space-shuttle-processing tasks were grouped into clusters, (3) the candidate techniques were used to measure the times of tasks in the clusters, then (4) the technique that scored highest according to weighted quantitative criteria developed for each cluster was selected as the "best" technique for the cluster. The methods-analysis study included an ergonomic review of tools, direct observation of tasks, and examination of work instructions. Several areas for improvements in work methods were identified. A methodology for selecting cost-effective methods-analysis techniques in the OPF environment was developed.

This work was done by Amanda Mitskevich and Tim S. Barth of Kennedy Space Center; Robert R. Safford, Julia Pet-Edwards, William Swart, and Kay Stanney of the University of Central Florida; and Susan Murray of Texas A&M University. To obtain copies of the reports, "A Procedure for Adaptation of Work Measurement Procedures To The Space Shuttle Ground Processing Environment" and "A Procedure for Adaptation of Industrial Methods Analysis Procedures To Space Shuttle Ground Processing At The Kennedy Space Center," access the Technical Support Package (TSP) free on-line at www.techbriefs.com  under the Mathematics and Information Sciences category, or circle no. 163 on the TSP Order Card in this issue to receive a copy by mail ($5 charge).

KSC-11934