- Definition of Science
- What is Physics? Understanding the Basics of Physical Science
- What is the importance of chemistry in atmospheric science?
Scientific management is a theory of management that originated in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, primarily through the work of Frederick Winslow Taylor. Its core objective is to improve economic efficiency, particularly labor productivity, by systematically analyzing and synthesizing workflows. This involves breaking down jobs into their component parts, often through time and motion studies, to identify the “one best way” to perform each task. The principles emphasize scientific analysis over traditional “rule-of-thumb” methods, careful selection and training of workers, close cooperation between management and labor, and a clear division of responsibilities, with management planning and workers executing.
While the explicit term “scientific management” or “Taylorism” may be less common in contemporary business, many of its underlying principles are still integral to modern industrial engineering and management practices. Concepts like process analysis, standardization of best practices, efficiency through waste elimination, performance measurement, and employee training and development all have roots in scientific management. Although it has faced criticism for potentially dehumanizing labor by focusing solely on efficiency and sometimes overlooking the social and psychological aspects of work, its contribution to the systematic study of work and the pursuit of productivity remains foundational in the history of management thought.
