Work sampling analysis skill for activity distribution and utilization studies.
Scanned 9/2/2026
Install to Claude Code
npx -y skills add a5c-ai/babysitter --skill work-sampling-analyzer --agent claude-codeInstalls into .claude/skills of the current project.
Are you the author of Work Sampling Analyzer?
Add the live security badge to your README — it updates automatically with every re-scan.
[](https://www.skillsdirectory.com/skills/a5c-ai-work-sampling-analyzer-babysitter)More formats (shields.io, HTML) on the badges page.
---
name: work-sampling-analyzer
description: Work sampling analysis skill for activity distribution and utilization studies.
allowed-tools: Bash(*) Read Write Edit Glob Grep WebFetch
metadata:
author: babysitter-sdk
version: "1.0.0"
category: work-measurement
backlog-id: SK-IE-035
graph:
domains: [domain:industrial-engineering]
skillAreas: [skill-area:statistical-analysis, skill-area:organizational-design, skill-area:data-analysis]
roles: [role:operations-analyst, role:research-engineer]
---
# work-sampling-analyzer
You are **work-sampling-analyzer** - a specialized skill for work sampling studies to analyze activity distribution and equipment/worker utilization.
## Overview
This skill enables AI-powered work sampling including:
- Random observation scheduling
- Sample size determination
- Activity categorization
- Statistical confidence intervals
- Control chart monitoring
- Multi-activity studies
- Standard time development from sampling
- Utilization analysis
## Capabilities
### 1. Sample Size Determination
```python
import numpy as np
from scipy import stats
import random
from datetime import datetime, timedelta
def determine_sample_size_binomial(estimated_proportion: float,
desired_accuracy: float,
confidence_level: float = 0.95):
"""
Determine required sample size for work sampling
estimated_proportion: estimated percentage of time in activity (as decimal)
desired_accuracy: desired accuracy (e.g., 0.05 for ±5%)
confidence_level: statistical confidence (typically 0.95)
"""
p = estimated_proportion
e = desired_accuracy
z = stats.norm.ppf(1 - (1 - confidence_level) / 2)
# n = (z² × p × (1-p)) / e²
n = (z ** 2 * p * (1 - p)) / (e ** 2)
return {
"required_observations": int(np.ceil(n)),
"estimated_proportion": p,
"desired_accuracy": f"±{e * 100:.1f}%",
"confidence_level": f"{confidence_level * 100:.0f}%",
"z_score": round(z, 2)
}
def update_sample_size(observations: int, observed_proportion: float,
desired_accuracy: float, confidence_level: float = 0.95):
"""
Update sample size based on observed data
"""
z = stats.norm.ppf(1 - (1 - confidence_level) / 2)
# Recalculate with observed proportion
p = observed_proportion
required = int(np.ceil((z ** 2 * p * (1 - p)) / (desired_accuracy ** 2)))
return {
"current_observations": observations,
"observed_proportion": round(p, 3),
"required_observations": required,
"additional_needed": max(0, required - observations),
"study_complete": observations >= required
}
```
### 2. Random Observation Scheduling
```python
def generate_random_schedule(study_duration_days: int,
observations_per_day: int,
work_start: str = "08:00",
work_end: str = "17:00",
exclude_lunch: tuple = ("12:00", "13:00")):
"""
Generate random observation times for work sampling study
"""
start_time = datetime.strptime(work_start, "%H:%M")
end_time = datetime.strptime(work_end, "%H:%M")
lunch_start = datetime.strptime(exclude_lunch[0], "%H:%M")
lunch_end = datetime.strptime(exclude_lunch[1], "%H:%M")
schedule = []
for day in range(study_duration_days):
day_schedule = []
# Generate random times
attempts = 0
while len(day_schedule) < observations_per_day and attempts < 1000:
# Random minutes from start to end
total_minutes = (end_time - start_time).seconds // 60
random_minutes = random.randint(0, total_minutes)
obs_time = start_time + timedelta(minutes=random_minutes)
# Check if during lunch
if lunch_start <= obs_time < lunch_end:
attempts += 1
continue
# Check minimum spacing (10 minutes)
too_close = False
for existing in day_schedule:
if abs((obs_time - existing).seconds) < 600: # 10 minutes
too_close = True
break
if not too_close:
day_schedule.append(obs_time)
attempts += 1
day_schedule.sort()
schedule.append({
'day': day + 1,
'times': [t.strftime("%H:%M") for t in day_schedule]
})
return {
"total_days": study_duration_days,
"observations_per_day": observations_per_day,
"total_observations": study_duration_days * observations_per_day,
"schedule": schedule
}
```
### 3. Activity Analysis
```python
def analyze_observations(observations: list, categories: list):
"""
Analyze work sampling observations
observations: list of observed categories
categories: list of possible categories
"""
total = len(observations)
# Count by category
counts = {cat: observations.count(cat) for cat in categories}
# Calculate proportions and confidence intervals
z = stats.norm.ppf(0.975) # 95% confidence
results = []
for cat in categories:
count = counts[cat]
p = count / total if total > 0 else 0
# Standard error
se = np.sqrt(p * (1 - p) / total) if total > 0 else 0
# Confidence interval
ci_lower = max(0, p - z * se)
ci_upper = min(1, p + z * se)
results.append({
'category': cat,
'count': count,
'proportion': round(p, 4),
'percentage': round(p * 100, 1),
'std_error': round(se, 4),
'ci_95_lower': round(ci_lower * 100, 1),
'ci_95_upper': round(ci_upper * 100, 1)
})
# Sort by proportion descending
results.sort(key=lambda x: x['proportion'], reverse=True)
return {
"total_observations": total,
"categories": results,
"summary": {
"productive": sum(r['proportion'] for r in results
if 'idle' not in r['category'].lower() and
'delay' not in r['category'].lower()) * 100,
"non_productive": sum(r['proportion'] for r in results
if 'idle' in r['category'].lower() or
'delay' in r['category'].lower()) * 100
}
}
```
### 4. Control Chart for Work Sampling
```python
def create_sampling_control_chart(daily_observations: list,
target_proportion: float = None):
"""
Create control chart to monitor sampling consistency
daily_observations: list of {'day': int, 'productive': int, 'total': int}
"""
# Calculate overall average
total_productive = sum(d['productive'] for d in daily_observations)
total_obs = sum(d['total'] for d in daily_observations)
p_bar = total_productive / total_obs if total_obs > 0 else 0
# Calculate control limits for each day (variable sample size)
chart_data = []
for day_data in daily_observations:
n = day_data['total']
p = day_data['productive'] / n if n > 0 else 0
# Standard error
se = np.sqrt(p_bar * (1 - p_bar) / n) if n > 0 else 0
# 3-sigma control limits
ucl = min(1, p_bar + 3 * se)
lcl = max(0, p_bar - 3 * se)
# Check if in control
in_control = lcl <= p <= ucl
chart_data.append({
'day': day_data['day'],
'proportion': round(p, 4),
'sample_size': n,
'ucl': round(ucl, 4),
'lcl': round(lcl, 4),
'in_control': in_control
})
# Identify out of control points
ooc_points = [d for d in chart_data if not d['in_control']]
return {
"center_line": round(p_bar, 4),
"chart_data": chart_data,
"out_of_control_days": len(ooc_points),
"process_stable": len(ooc_points) == 0,
"recommendation": "Process is stable" if len(ooc_points) == 0
else f"Investigate {len(ooc_points)} out-of-control points"
}
```
### 5. Standard Time from Work Sampling
```python
def calculate_standard_time_from_sampling(sampling_results: dict,
total_study_time_hours: float,
units_produced: int,
allowance_percent: float):
"""
Develop standard time from work sampling data
sampling_results: results from analyze_observations
total_study_time_hours: total time covered by study
units_produced: number of units produced during study
allowance_percent: PFD allowance
"""
# Find productive time proportion
productive_proportion = sampling_results['summary']['productive'] / 100
# Total productive time
productive_hours = total_study_time_hours * productive_proportion
# Normal time per unit
normal_time_hours = productive_hours / units_produced if units_produced > 0 else 0
normal_time_minutes = normal_time_hours * 60
# Apply allowances
allowance_factor = 1 + (allowance_percent / 100)
standard_time_minutes = normal_time_minutes * allowance_factor
return {
"study_duration_hours": total_study_time_hours,
"productive_proportion": round(productive_proportion, 3),
"productive_hours": round(productive_hours, 2),
"units_produced": units_produced,
"normal_time_per_unit": round(normal_time_minutes, 3),
"allowance_percent": allowance_percent,
"standard_time_per_unit": round(standard_time_minutes, 3),
"pieces_per_hour": round(60 / standard_time_minutes, 1) if standard_time_minutes > 0 else 0
}
```
### 6. Multi-Activity Study
```python
def multi_activity_study(observations: list, workers: list, machines: list):
"""
Analyze multi-activity work sampling with workers and machines
observations: list of {'time': str, 'worker': str, 'activity': str, 'machine': str}
"""
total_obs = len(observations)
# Analyze by worker
worker_analysis = {}
for worker in workers:
worker_obs = [o for o in observations if o['worker'] == worker]
n = len(worker_obs)
activities = {}
for obs in worker_obs:
act = obs['activity']
activities[act] = activities.get(act, 0) + 1
worker_analysis[worker] = {
'observations': n,
'activities': {k: {'count': v, 'percent': round(v / n * 100, 1)}
for k, v in activities.items()}
}
# Analyze by machine
machine_analysis = {}
for machine in machines:
machine_obs = [o for o in observations if o.get('machine') == machine]
n = len(machine_obs)
states = {}
for obs in machine_obs:
state = obs.get('machine_state', 'running')
states[state] = states.get(state, 0) + 1
if n > 0:
machine_analysis[machine] = {
'observations': n,
'states': {k: {'count': v, 'percent': round(v / n * 100, 1)}
for k, v in states.items()},
'utilization': round(states.get('running', 0) / n * 100, 1)
}
return {
"total_observations": total_obs,
"worker_analysis": worker_analysis,
"machine_analysis": machine_analysis,
"summary": {
"avg_worker_utilization": np.mean([
100 - w['activities'].get('idle', {}).get('percent', 0)
for w in worker_analysis.values()
]),
"avg_machine_utilization": np.mean([
m['utilization'] for m in machine_analysis.values()
]) if machine_analysis else 0
}
}
```
## Process Integration
This skill integrates with the following processes:
- `work-measurement-analysis.js`
- `utilization-improvement.js`
- `workforce-planning.js`
## Output Format
```json
{
"study_summary": {
"total_observations": 500,
"study_duration_days": 10,
"confidence_level": "95%"
},
"activity_analysis": {
"productive": {"percent": 72.5, "ci": [68.5, 76.5]},
"idle": {"percent": 15.2, "ci": [12.1, 18.3]},
"delay": {"percent": 12.3, "ci": [9.5, 15.1]}
},
"utilization": {
"worker": 84.8,
"machine": 78.2
},
"standard_time": {
"normal_time": 2.45,
"standard_time": 2.82
},
"recommendations": [
"Reduce idle time through better scheduling",
"Investigate delay causes"
]
}
```
## Best Practices
1. **Truly random times** - Use random number generator
2. **Sufficient observations** - Based on desired accuracy
3. **Consistent categorization** - Train all observers
4. **Brief observations** - Record what's seen instantly
5. **Inform workers** - Reduces Hawthorne effect over time
6. **Monitor stability** - Use control charts
## Constraints
- Cannot determine sequence of activities
- Requires clear category definitions
- Random schedule may miss rare events
- Worker behavior may change when observed
Is this your skill, or is something wrong with this listing? Request removal or report an issue. Author removals are honored within 72 hours.
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!