Scientific Management Principles

Study Notes

Developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries
Aims to improve industrial efficiency by applying scientific methods to management

Rejection of Rule-of-Thumb Method: Abandoning traditional, informal methods of management and instead using scientific analysis and data to make decisions.
Scientific Study of Work: Breaking down tasks into smaller components, analyzing them, and determining the most efficient way to perform them.
Standardization of Work: Establishing standard procedures and tools to ensure consistency and efficiency.
Selection and Training of Workers: Selecting the most suitable workers for specific tasks and providing them with specialized training.
Cooperation between Management and Workers: Encouraging collaboration and mutual understanding between management and workers to achieve common goals.
Division of Work and Responsibility: Dividing tasks into smaller, manageable parts and assigning clear responsibilities to each worker.

Time and Motion Study: Analyzing the time and movements required to complete a task to optimize efficiency.
Work Simplification: Simplifying tasks to reduce waste and improve productivity.
Standardized Tools and Equipment: Using standardized tools and equipment to ensure consistency and efficiency.

Increase Productivity: Improving efficiency and reducing waste to increase output.
Reduce Labor Costs: Decreasing labor costs by minimizing idle time and improving worker efficiency.
Improve Worker Welfare: Enhancing worker well-being by providing better working conditions and fair wages.

Overemphasis on Efficiency: Critics argue that Taylor's principles prioritize efficiency over worker welfare and job satisfaction.
Deskilling of Workers: Standardization of tasks can lead to deskilling of workers and a lack of autonomy.
Limited Applicability: Scientific management may not be applicable to all industries or work environments.

Developed by Frederick Winslow Taylor in the late 19th and early 20th centuries to improve industrial efficiency by applying scientific methods to management

Rejection of traditional, informal methods of management, replaced by scientific analysis and data-driven decision making
Breaking down tasks into smaller components to analyze and determine the most efficient way to perform them
Establishing standard procedures and tools to ensure consistency and efficiency
Selecting suitable workers for specific tasks and providing specialized training
Encouraging collaboration and mutual understanding between management and workers to achieve common goals
Dividing tasks into smaller, manageable parts and assigning clear responsibilities to each worker

Analyzing time and movements required to complete a task to optimize efficiency through time and motion study
Simplifying tasks to reduce waste and improve productivity
Using standardized tools and equipment to ensure consistency and efficiency

Improving efficiency and reducing waste to increase output
Decreasing labor costs by minimizing idle time and improving worker efficiency
Enhancing worker well-being by providing better working conditions and fair wages

Prioritizing efficiency over worker welfare and job satisfaction
Standardization of tasks can lead to deskilling of workers and a lack of autonomy
Limited applicability to certain industries or work environments