Scientific Management Overview

Study Notes

Scientific management is a theory of management that analyzes and synthesizes workflows
Its primary goal is to improve economic efficiency, especially labor productivity.
It was an early attempt to apply science to engineering processes in management.

Inventions and innovations, like the spinning jenny, hospitals (with equipment like stethoscopes and aspirin), and the steam engine, were key changes.
The industrial revolution influenced these changes, creating tools for improved production and transportation of goods and raw materials.
These advancements increased production and revenue.

Factory owners sought to increase worker speed.
Frederick Winslow Taylor's ideas formed the principles of scientific management, comprising four main principles:
- Developing a science for each element of a worker's job.
- Scientifically training workers.
- Ensuring work is done efficiently.
- Creating an equal workload for managers and workers.
Taylor's approaches involved time studies and tasks, leading to assembly lines and more efficient production.

Taylor's ideas led to increased productivity, decreasing production time needed for same goods.
More specialized work and jobs expanded the economy.
The efficiency and lowering of costs of products created more access to products for the lower classes, boosting demand.
Assembly lines are an example of this increased efficiency.

Taylor aimed to highlight the inefficiency in daily tasks and activities.
His book, "The Principles of Scientific Management," showcased how to improve factory efficiency through his management principles.