Principles of Management - History of Management

Scientific Management

Look at each job or task scientifically to determine the "one best way" to perform the job. This is a change from the previous "rule of thumb" method where workers devised their own ways to do the job. Hire the right workers for each job, and train them to work at maximum efficiency. Monitor worker performance, and provide instruction and training when needed. Divide the work between management and labor so that management can plan and train, and workers can execute the task efficiently.

Task specialization and training (Task specialization and worker training allowed manufactures to address the scaling or productivity issues associates with industrial production

Renowned management consultant and educator Peter Drucker, hailed by BusinessWeek as "the man who invented management," referred to Frederick Taylor's impact as "the most powerful as well as the most lasting contribution America has made to Western thought since the Federalist Papers." The fundamental change Taylor introduced to address issues associated with industrial production was:

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Scientific management puts the focus on efficiency and productivity. Jobs are specialized and new employees can be trained quickly. This approach is still in use today. For example, strategy and stiff competition require this approach at

Worker productivity by scientific analysis

The Gilbreths both belonged to the classical school of management, which emphasized increasing

Knowledge-based work can't be observed and broken down for efficiencies like manual labor

Which is a limitation of scientific management?

Frederick W. Taylor

Who believed that management and labor should cooperate and work together to meet goals. He was the first to suggest that the primary functions of managers should be planning and training.

Gantt Chart

a tool that provides a visual (graphic) representation of what occurs over the course of a project. The focus of the chart is the sequential performance of tasks that make up a project. It identifies key tasks, assigns an estimated time to complete the task, and determines a starting date for each element of a task. Gantt differentiated between a terminal element that must be completed as part of a larger task. The related terminal elements together created what he called the summary element.

Digital Taylorism

based on maximizing efficiency by standardizing the tools and techniques for completing each task involved with a given job.

Classical school of management

emphasized increasing worker productivity by scientific analysis. They differed, however, on the importance of the worker. Taylor's emphasis was on profitability and productivity; the Gilbreths were also focused on worker welfare and motivation. They believed that by reducing the amount of motions associated with a particular task, they could also increase the worker's well-being.

Task and bonus plan

modified Taylor's "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work" premise. Gantt wanted to establish a standard (average) time for a piece of work or task. Then, if a worker took more that the standard time, his pay was docked. But if he took less time, he was paid for the additional pieces of work and a bonus of up to 20 percent more. Also known as the progressive rate system, this plan was preferred by workers who were willing to work harder for additional wages.