SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT
Scientific management is defined as the use of the scientific method to
determine the “one best way” for a job to be done. The most important
contributor in this field was Frederick W. Taylor who is known as the “father”
of scientific management. Using his principles of scientific management,
Taylor was able to define the “one best way” for doing each job.
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were inspired by Taylor’s work and proceeded to
study and develop their own methods of scientific management. They devised a
classification scheme to label 17 basic hand motions called therbligs in order to
eliminate wasteful motions
Guidelines devised by Taylor and others to improve production efficiency are
still used in today’s organizations. However, current management practice is not
restricted to scientific management practices alone. Elements of scientific
management still used include:
1. Using time and motion studies
2. Hiring best qualified workers
3. Designing incentive systems based on output