Question

Explain the following techniques of Scientific Management: (i) Method study (ii) Standardisation and simplification of work.

Hint:

Method Study = Process Optimization.
Simplification = Eliminating excess variety to save costs.

Answer 1

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
F.W. Taylor developed scientific management to improve industrial efficiency through standardized techniques and scientific observation.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
1. Method Study: The objective is to find the "One Best Way" of performing a job. This involves analyzing every step of the process—from the movement of raw materials to the final delivery—to minimize costs and maximize efficiency.
2. Standardisation and Simplification:
- Standardisation refers to the process of setting benchmarks for every phase of business operations (e.g., standardizing the quality of materials or time for a task).
- Simplification aims at eliminating unnecessary diversity, sizes, or varieties of products. This reduces costs of inventory, labor, and machinery.
Step 3: Final Answer:
Method study optimizes the process, while standardisation and simplification focus on uniformity and cost-effective variety reduction.