TN 5 (04-24)
DI 39563.220 State Agency Work Sampling (SAWS)
The SAWS system includes all DDS's except South Carolina Blind and Guam, and samples
the activities of each employee in each DDS (including decentralized locations) once
a week throughout the year. The sample design insures adequate sample sizes for statistical
accuracy. In addition, sampling in each DDS provides geographical representation and
also accommodates variations resulting from particular patterns of work related to
certain days of the week or times of the day. The SAWS system provides more comprehensive
unit time data for manpower and budgetary evaluation and offers a better insight into
the DDS time requirements for processing the various types of cases.
The basic mechanics of SAWS include sampling approximately one-fifth of the DDS staffs
each day. The sample days and sample times for the entire fiscal year are randomly
selected by SSA central office and mailed annually to the DDS's prior to the beginning
of the fiscal year. During the course of the year, each DDS then conducts daily samples
at designated time periods. Sample rounds occur during the working hours of each DDS,
Monday through Friday, including lunch time and break periods. The sample round consists
of recording the activities of each DDS employee by position type and by the specific
activity being performed at the sample moment. DDS employees out-of-office on official
agency business also participate in the scheduled sampling. DDS's submit SAWS data
within two workdays following the sample day. National SAWS data is then edited, tabulated
and made available to the DDS for workload management and other purposes.
Questions concerning the SAWS program should be directed to the regional SAWS coordinator.