SCIENTIFIC MANAGEMENT

F W Taylor is recognized as the father of

scientific management, who attempted to
introduce a rational and systematic
approach to management.

Emphasis is given to planning,

standardising and improving human
efficiency at the different operation levels,
in order to maximise output with minimum
input.
 Principles / Elements of
Scientific Management

1. Scientific task setting

2. Planning
3. Study of the different works / activities
4. Scientific selection and training of workers
5. Standardising
6. Differential piece-rate system of wages
7. Functional organisation
8. Mental revolution
9. Cost accounting
1. Scientific task setting

Standard task is the quantity of

work which an average worker can
perform under ideal standardised
conditions in one day, generally
called ‘a fair day’s work’, which for
every worker should be fixed after a
scientific study.
 2. Planning
Planning is the heart of Scientific
management as per Taylor. He wanted to
set up a Planning Department for every
enterprise.
Thus “what to do, when to do, where to
do and how to do” is planned before the
commencement of the project.
3. Study of work

It is the critical examination of

all the factors governing the
operational efficiency of any specific
activity. Study is conducted regarding
the movement of the worker, time
taken, fatigue, etc.
Thus the best method of doing
a job and the standard time required
for its completion is determined.
4. Scientific selection and training of workers

A systematic way for the selection

of workers is to be followed, depending
upon the nature of work to be done.
Every job must be entrusted to
the best worker considering his skill,
experience and trainings undergone.
Before appointment the workers
are to given an induction training. Proper
trainings to update their knowledge in the
latest techniques are also to be
conducted when ever needed.
5. Standardisation

Standardisation of performance,
tools, equipments, materials, working
conditions, etc. is necessary as per scientific
management.

Workers are to be provided with

the required tools, materials and the
environment, so that the works are executed
with the optimum no. of workers, expenditure
and time.
The steps involved in
STANDARDISATION

1. Establishing standards
2. Appraising performance
3. Taking corrective measures
 (1) Establishing standards
Standards of performance are set up
for various operations at the planning stage,
which serve as the basis for any control system.
Establishment of standards in terms of
quality, quantity or time is necessary for effective
control. Standards may be of physical nature
like units, men, hours, etc. or of monetary nature
such as sales, revenue, expenses, etc. which
should be precise, acceptable and workable.
They should be flexible also, if circumstances
arises they are to be changed.
 (2) Appraising performance

This step involves measuring

actual performance of various individuals,
groups, or units and then comparing it with
the standards and investigate the causes
of any deviation from the standards.
(3) Taking corrective measures
If there is any deviation from
the objectives of the enterprise,
corrective actions are to be taken. If
the standards are found to be
defective, modifications are to be
made.
6. Differential piece-rate system of wages

Financial incentives helps to ensure

efficiency and speed of work done by the
workers.
A worker is to be rewarded depending
upon the efforts put by him for the betterment
of the enterprise. This will encourage each
and every worker to be committed to the
company.
7. Functional Organisation

Planning and production

activities are to be separated
under different managers.
Depending upon the functions
the organisational set up is to
divided.
8. Mental Revolution

Scientific management aims at

revolutionising the minds of both the
workers and the management in
such a way that the workers start
feeling that the enterprise is their
own and they put their heart and
soul in the work assigned to them.
Management and workers should
have mutual respect and work in co-
operation.
9. Cost Accounting

It is a direct offspring of scientific

management. Right from the first stage
of production to the last stage, cost
accounting enables the management to
plan, organise and to direct the
production and marketing of the products
in a manner by which it helps in reducing
the production and distribution cost and
increasing the profit of the enterprise.
Weakness of Scientific Management
Scientific Management is confined to increasing
the production and profit of the enterprise and
is devoid of human element, the health and
welfare of the workers.

Sometimes it gives birth to the workers’ trade

union movements.
 Role of Computers
Database is created to be manipulated and
presented as reports rather than asking data
processing personnel to create new programs to
manipulate specialised data.
The decision maker can work with unprecedented
speed and accuracy due to the introduction of
computers.
Inflation creates complications in the financial
planning and which can be solved easily using
computers. Tight control of financial aspects is
required to make the project viable and
profitable.
 Project Management
Programs
Project management is the area
where the application of computer system
is inevitable.
Sophisticated commercial
programs are available like Harward Total
Project Manager, Prism, Instaplan,
Promis, Success planned, Primavera
Project Planning, Microsoft Project, etc.
 MANAGEMENT OF A

“CONSTRUCTION
PROJECT”

It aims at the completion of the project,

with the optimum use of materials, man
power, time, finance, etc. without
compromising on the quality of work, with
the proper co-operation and co-ordination
among the different wings of the project.
 The various steps involved are:-
1. Establishment of the objectives of the project
2. Administrative, financial and technical control
3. Planning and designing
4. Procurement of resources
5. Recruitment and training of staff and labour
6. Payment of wages and salaries
7. Welfare of the staff and labour
8. Establishment of round the clock communication
The different stages of a Construction Project

1. Conceptual or Initiation stage

2. Study and Evaluation Stage
3. Design, Drawing and Estimate preparation
4. Defining Specifications
5. Contractor Realisation
6. Procurement of materials
7. Construction stage
8. Utilisation and Maintenance
1. Conceptual or Initiation stage

Due to the efforts of the individuals or

groups or to satisfy the needs of the
society, many construction projects take
shape. The ideas conceived by them are
to be analysed by the Engineer and the
most economical project having the best
utility, depending upon the necessities is
to be taken up.
2. Study and Evaluation Stage

The ideas put forward during the initiation

stage are analysed with respect to its
feasibility, social utility and “COST and
BENEFIT”. For this preliminary survey is
done and rough estimate is prepared.
Once the project is accepted, an
administrative approval is accorded and
the budget provision is made.
 3. Preparation of Design,
Drawings and Estimates
This is the most important stage of construction.
Detailed investigations and surveys are
conducted regarding the site and surrounding
environment and the sources of materials, labour,
infrastructural / communication facilities, power,
etc. Land acquisition and approval of the local
authority are acquired. Design, Drawings and
Estimates are prepared, the precision of which
affects the economy of the whole project.
4. Specifications

Standard Specifications are to be

followed as far as possible. The
Engineer should have practical
common sense also, locally available
materials and labour are to be made
use of as far as possible.
 5. Contractor Realisation
Generally large and medium projects are constructed by
awarding a contract at suitable terms and conditions.

This stage involves preparations for calling tenders, their

evaluation and the final award of the work to a contractor,
who has successfully executed similar works in the past.

Medium and small works are carried out departmentally by

the department engineers. In this case also internal
orders are issued for authorised expenditure and
execution of the work.
When two or more persons have a
common intension communicated to each
other to create some obligation between
them, then it is an “Agreement”.
An agreement endorsed by law is called a
“Contract”.
6. Procurement of materials

The engineer should determine the

required type and quantity of materials
and procure them before starting the
work or its regular supply be ensured
without causing any wastage, storage
problems or obstructions to the workers
at site.
7. Utilisation and Maintenance
After completion of the project the
structure is handed over to the
promoter for its use and operation. Its
performance and the extend of
maintenance or repair works needed as
years pass by provides a valuable feed
back and helps in creating better ways
of construction and management of
similar projects in future.
 Preparatory Works of a Construction
Project
The requirements of the preparatory work
can be assessed only after examining the
nature of the work, magnitude of the work,
execution period of the work, etc.
The works include:-
1) Access to the work site
2) Acquisition of land
3) Setting up of a construction camp
4) A site service plant
5) Provision of infrastructural facilities
 (1) Access to the work site

The most economical and practical mode of

transportation system, road/rail/waterway, to
the work site is to be determined.

Roads must be constructed before the starting

of the project, if necessary.
 (2) Acquisition of land

Land required for the site camp, service

plant, work site etc. are to acquired by the
owner of the project before the
commencement of the project.
(3) Setting up of a construction camp
The size and type of construction camp depends
upon the type of work, magnitude of work,
duration of work and the fund available for the
purpose.
Planning of a construction camp should depend
upon certain principles.
They are:-
1. Store should be located near the access
2. Temporary/permanent quarters for the workers
are to be provided near to the work site.
3. All basic needs are to be provided, health
clinic, primary school, recreation club, etc.
 (4) A site service plant
The service plant requires a great deal of study, as the
smooth flow of different activities depend on the
design and functioning of the service camp.

The general requirements include:-

1) Main office for the Engineers
2) Time office for time keepers and pay roll clerks
3) First aid facilities in case of emergency
4) Testing laboratories for the testing of the building materials
5) Warehouses for storage of electrical equipment, tools, etc.
6) Garages
7) Various shops like carpenters’, electricians’, machine, etc.
8) Reinforcing steel yard- for placing and working with steel
9) Storage yard- open yard for sand, stone, bricks, pipes, timber
and enclosed yards for cement, lime, paints, etc.
10) Power plant- for generating electric power
11) Pump house- for fire fighting, water supply
12) Weigh Bridge- for weighing materials
13) Check-post and security post.
(5) Provision of infrastructural facilities

The necessary infrastructural facilities

are to be provided in the construction
camp, site office, quarters, service
plant, etc.
 THE CONSTRUCTION
TEAM

1. The Owner
2. The Engineer
3. The Contractor or the
Builder
The Owner
The Engineer
The Contractor