Principles of Scientific Management
In a fundamental sense,
scientific management is an attitude and a philosophy which discards the
traditional hit-and-miss and rule-of-thumb method of managing work and workers;
it means the acceptance and application of the method of scientific
investigation for the solution of the problems of industrial management.
Principles of
Scientific Management – 6 Principles of Scientific Management by Taylor
(i) Replacement of Old Rule of Thumb Method:
Scientific investigation should be
used for taking managerial decisions instead of basing decisions on opinion,
intuition or rule of thumb. The principle of use of science for rule of thumb
is the starting point that distinguishes scientific management from traditional
management.
Under scientific management
decisions are made on the basis of acts as developed by the application of
scientific method to the problem concerned. This is in contrast with the
approach followed under traditional management according to which decisions are
based on opinions, prejudices, or rule of thumb. Thus substitution of rule of
thumb or opinion by scientific approach is one of the primary contributions of
Taylor to the field of management.
(ii) Scientific Selection and Training of Workers:
The procedure for selection of
workers should be designed scientifically. The errors committed at the time of
selection may prove to be very costly later on. If we do not have right workers
on the right job, the efficiency of the organization will be reduced. Therefore,
every organization should follow a scientific system of selection.
The selected workers are to be
trained to avoid wrong methods of work Management is responsible for the
scientific education and training. The management has to provide opportunities
for development of workers having better capabilities.
(iii) Co-Operation between Labor and Management:
There should be cooperation between
the workers and the management. This requires change of mental attitudes of the
workers and the management towards each other. Taylor called it mental
revolution. When this mental revolution takes place, workers and management
turn their attention towards increasing profits. They do not quarrel about the
distribution of profits.
(iv) Maximum Output:
The management and the workers
should try to achieve maximum output in place of restricted output. This will
be beneficial to both the parties. Maximum output will also be in the interest
of the society.
(v) Equal Division of Responsibility:
There must be equal division of
responsibility between the managers and the workers. The management should
assume responsibility for the work for which it is better suited. For instance,
management should decide the method of work, working conditions, time for
completion of work, etc. instead of leaving these to the discretion of workers.
The management should be
responsible for planning and organising the work, whereas the workers should be
responsible for the execution of work as per instructions of management.
(vi) Mental Revolution:
The basic- idea behind the
principles of scientific management is to change the mental attitudes of the
workers and the management towards each other. Taylor called it ‘Mental
Revolution’.
According to Taylor, “In its essence, scientific management involves a complete mental revolution on the part of the working men connected in any particular establishment or industry and it involves equally complete mental revolution on the part of those on the management’s side — the foremen, the superintendent, the owner of the business, the board of directors. Without the complete mental revolution on both sides, scientific management does not exist.”
Principles of Scientific Management
The principles of scientific management given by Taylor are:
1. Science, not Rule of Thumb:
Taylor believed that there is only one best way of doing a work, which can be developed through scientific study and analysis. The method, so developed, should substitute ‘rule of thumb’ or ‘trial and error’ method in the organisation. By using scientific investigation and work study, the method so devised, will save effort and reduce wastage of resources.
2. Harmony, not Discord:
This principle lays stress on complete harmony between the management and workers. Both should realize the importance of each other. Taylor called for a complete mental revolution, which means that the management and workers should change their thinking. The management should share the gains of the company with the workers and the workers should resist going on strikes.
There should be complete openness between the management and the workers and they should realize that their true interests are one and the same and prosperity of employee and employer accompany each other.
3. Cooperation, not Individualism:
Instead of individualism, there should be complete cooperation between the workers and management. The management should listen to the constructive suggestions made by the employees. They should reward the worker for suggestions which help in reducing the costs.
The management should consult workers on taking decisions affecting them. Both management and workers should work in cooperation. The division of work and responsibility should be almost equal.
4. Development of Each and Every Person to His or Her Greatest Efficiency and Prosperity:
Scientific management advocates that the best method of
doing the work should be developed through a scientific approach. This method
should be taught to the workers through proper training. Taylor advocated that
each person should be scientifically selected and then allotted work to suit
his/her physical, mental and intellectual capabilities. Proper training should
be imparted to increase the efficiency.