Therblig

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A therblig is the name for one of a set of fundamental motions required for a worker to perform a manual operation or task. The set consists of 18 elements, each describing a standardized activity. These are listed below.

Search
Find
Select
Grasp
Hold
Position
Assemble
Use
Disassemble
Inspect
Transport loaded
Transport unloaded
Pre-position for next operation
Release load
Unavoidable delay
Avoidable delay
Plan
Rest to overcome fatigue

The therblig is used in the study of motion economy in the workplace. A workplace task is analyzed by recording each of the therblig units for a process, with the results used for optimization of manual labor by eliminating unneeded movements.

The word therblig is a reversal of the word Gilbreth, with 'th' treated as one letter. It was the creation of Frank Bunker Gilbreth and Lillian Moller Gilbreth, the American industrial psychologists who invented the field of time and motion study.