One of the first management consultants, mechanical engineer Frederick Winslow Taylor developed the concept of scientific management which was a system of organization where the functions of every member of that organization are clearly defined. His work was thought to have revolutionized factory and shop management.
His business textbook on the subject was written in 1911. But, don’t let that fool you. Taylor’s ideas were revolutionary at the time and his influence is still being felt today in the world of business. In many ways his ideas were simple regarding time and motion. He suggested workers at Bethlehem Steel should use different shovels for different materials to increase production. He was fired by the company (guess they didn’t want to buy more shovels) but the workers were convinced of the soundness of his theories as using the right shovel would increase their productivity and earnings. H.L. Gannt, one of Taylor’s followers would lead the steel company to utilize his mentor’s ideas. Gannt himself would further expand Taylor’s concepts into his own famous scheduling tool – the Gannt chart.
Table of Contents for Principles of Scientific Management Textbook
- Fundamentals of Scientific Management
- The Principles of Scientific Management
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Principles of Scientific Management