Abstract MTM-1, MTM-2 and MTM-3 are regarded as the general levels of the Methods-Time Measurement family of Predetermined Motion Time Systems. Based upon an analytical technique known as “Balance Time” recommendations have been made with regard to the minimum cycle time for which MTM-2 and MTM-3 should be used. The findings of this research show clearly that these restrictions cannot be supported. The implications are that the increase in speed of application due to using higher levels of data is traded off for a loss in detailed methods description and not time prediction accuracy. This demonstrates that higher data levels can, therefore, be used with confidence on elements as short as 0.02 minutes.