scientific management theory of management

F.W.Taylor :  Father Of Scientific Management Theory

During the second industrial revolution, there was overall burst of improvement/revival activities through discoveries, inventions and innovations. Machines as leverages rather than enablers of production and economic progress came to a reality. In the advent of this “Industrial age”, mass production, mass labour, mechanization, wage standardization brought about an order in industrial practices.

This come with problem of mismanagement, wastage of resources, lack of discipline, ineffective production and consumption that made the matters worse. At that time, observers and researchers studied importance of systematic approach of running organizations. The result was “Scientific Management”, led by the work of F.W.Taylor, who is regarded as Father of Scientific Management.

Importance of learning scientific management

·       It is systematic approach of achieving goals through checks and controls.

·       It facilitates focused, balanced approach in running businesses.

·       The individual thinking and problem-solving processes are enhanced.

·       It facilitates conversion of chaos into clarity.

·       On the personal front, it reduces stress and promotes self-growth.

F. W. Taylor observed that greater output was possible through systematization and standardization of methods of doing work. Techniques of management were identified by Taylor through trial and error method. Many of his ideas brought system, order and logic to areas such as Production planning, analysis of cost, systems of payment etc. where rule of thumb had prevailed.

When the management people wanted to increase their production, their ambitions were fulfilled by the invention of the concept of Scientific Management by F.W.Taylor.

According to him, Scientific Management consists of a certain philosophy of:

·       Scientific selection and training of right workers for the right job

·       Providing adequate working conditions such as lighting, ventilation, drinking water, canteen, sanitation, rest rooms, rest periods.

·       Providing a system of monetary incentives to efficient workers

·       Assumption of responsibilities by managers and supervisors.

Features of scientific management:

·       Separation of planning from executive function: Before Taylor’s period, both planning and executive function were performed by one and the same worker. Then this worker did the job under the supervision of a supervisor. It resulted in disagreement on many issues between workers and supervisors. So, Taylor separated the planning function from the executive function.

·       Scientific task setting: It means allotment of work to each worker on the basis of capacity of an average worker functioning in normal working conditions. He should be able to complete the work in a working day.

·       Functional foremanship: This is based on specialization of functions performed at supervision level. E.g. There are eight persons. Out of these, four persons are concerned with planning, (route clerk,  instruction card clerk, time and cost clerk and disciplinarian), and the remaining four are concerned with the executive function(speed boss, inspector, maintenance foreman and gang boss). 

·       Work study: Systematic critical assessment of efficiency required to do the job.

Ø  Methods study: Entire process of production is studied. Efforts are made to reduce the distance passed by materials and bring about improvement in handling, transportation, inspection, storage of raw materials and finished goods.

Ø  Motion study: Unnecessary movements are eliminated.

Ø  Time study: Act of measuring the time required to perform a particular job. The standard time is fixed. All the work is performed in fixed time.

Ø  Fatigue study: A study relating to the fixing of working hours with rest periods to enable the workers to recoup the energy lost while performing the job.

·       Rate setting: Fair wages to workers. Differential piece rate wage system which can act as incentive to lazy workers.

·       Standardization is done in respect of tools, instruments, working hours, volume of work, working conditions, cost of production on the basis of job analysis.

·       Scientific selection and training: The workers should be selected scientifically. The appointment should be given to each worker according to the nature of job requirement and his qualifications.

·       Financial incentives: Increase in efficiency should result in increase in wages.

·       Mental revolution: It refers to change in thinking both on the part of management and workers. The success of scientific management rests primarily on the fundamental change in the attitude of management and workers both as to their duty to cooperate in producing largest possible surplus. Necessity for substituting exact scientific knowledge for opinions, or old rule of thumb.

·       Economy: The available resources are used to the fullest possible maximum extent to eliminate wastage. Management to get economy in production and for maximizing profits.

Scientific Management creates focused, balanced and systematic approach of achieving goals through checks and controls. Independent thinking and problem-solving processes are enhanced. On the personal front, it facilitates conversion of chaos into clarity, reduction of stress and promotion of self-growth.