Interrelationship Between Management Functions

TECHNIQUES OF SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT

The elements or mechanism of scientific management as suggested by F.W. Taylor are discussed below:

1. Scientific Task Setting

Taylor felt that the workers restricted their output because of the major reason that there was no standard about a proper day’s work. Therefore, it is essential to set the standard task which an average worker should do during a day. Taylor termed it “a fair day’s work.” The standard task is to be set by the management scientifically so that it represents the amount of work which an average worker, working under average standardized condition in an atmosphere of mutual trust and cooperation, will be able to do during a day. It will act as a norm for the workers and will prevent them from doing work much below their capacity. It should be kept in mind that the standard task is neither too low nor too high. The average worker should be capable of doing the standard task. For the setting of standard task, scientific techniques should be used.

2. Work Study

Work study implies an organized, objective, analytical and critical assessment of the efficiency of various operations in an enterprise. It is a generic term for those techniques which are used in the examination of human work in its entire context and which lead systematically to the investigation of all factors which affect the efficiency and economy of operations.

Work study includes the following techniques:

• Method Study. This is conducted to know the best method of doing a particular job. It helps in reducing the distance traveled by material, and brings improvement in handling, transporting, inspection and storing of raw materials and goods.
• Motion Study. It is the study of the movement of an operator or machine. Its purpose is to eliminate useless motions and find out the best method of doing a particular job. By undertaking motion study, an attempt is made to know whether some elements of a job can be eliminated, combined or their sequence changed to achieved the necessary rhythm.
• Time Study or Work Measurement. Time study is an art of observing and recording the time required to do each detailed element of an industrial operation. Through time study the precise time required for each element of a man’s work is determine. It helps in fixing the standard time required to do a particular job.
• Fatigue Study. Fatigue, physical or mental, has an adverse effect on worker’s health and his efficiency. Fatigue study helps in reducing among the workers. Fatigue is generally caused by long working hours without rest pauses, repetitive operations, excessive specialization and poor working conditions. The purpose of fatigue study is to maintain the operational efficiency of the workers.

3. Planning the task

Taylor emphasized the need for planning work. He advocated that planning function should be separated from the executive function. Workers should not be supposed to choose their own methods and decide what they have to do. The detailed planning should be done by the planning department. The planning department should (a) prepare detailed instructions for the workers as to the type, shape, quantity of the products to be produced, (b) lay down the machines and equipment to be used, (c) determine the time required for completion of various operations, (d) make available the necessary material and tools in carrying out the operations, and (e) receive feedback information for the modification of planning, if necessary.

4. Setting of Wage Rate 

Wage rates should be fixed in such a way that the average worker in induced to attain the standard. Taylor suggested the differential piece-wage system. Under this system, higher rates are offered to those workers who produce more than the standard quantity. Taylor was of the view efficient worker should be paid from 30% to 100% more than the average workers.

5. Standardization of Tools and Equipment

Taylor advocated the standardization of materials, tools and equipment, cost system and several other items. Efforts should also be made to provide standardized working conditions and methods of production to the workers. Thus, standardization is an important task for the introduction of scientific management in any enterprise. There are many advantages of standardization. Firstly, operators can be trained easily. Secondly, it is economical to have standardized materials, tools and equipment etc. Thirdly, standardization helps in achieving various economics of large scale production. Lastly, standardization will improve the quality of production and reduce the cost of repairs and maintenance.

6. Scientific Selection and Training of Workers

The selection procedure must be designed carefully because errors committed at the time of selection may prove to be very costly later on. If the selection process is faulty, there will not be right workers on the right jobs. Thus, the efficiency of the organization will be reduced. Taylor advocated the need for proper selection and training of workers. Only a worker who meets the requirement of his job can do it well and at the minimum cost. Training of workers is the other task of management after the appropriate placement of worker is the other task of management after the appropriate placement of workers. Training helps in changing the behavior of the workers. It can be of great help in teaching them the best method of doing their job. Since the workers are trained, they will produce goods of high quality and incur less wastages. 

7. Specialization of Function Foremanship

Taylor advocated that specialization must be introduced in a factory. He advocated functional foremanship for this purpose. In his scheme planning was separated from executing. He recommended eight foremen in all to control the various aspects of production. He advocated four foremen in the planning department, namely, route clerk, instruction card clerk, time and cost clerk and shop disciplinarian. The four foreman recommended for getting the required performance from workers include gang boss, speed boss, repair boss and inspector.