Production Management Principles Assignment Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 2500 words - 1

Production Management Principles - Assignment Example One of the early contributors towards the evolvement of scientific production management principles was F.W. Taylor. He put forward ideas and developed a theory of organization by which managers could optimize their production and increase efficiency. Till that point of time, there was no scientific back up for the workers engaged in production activity and the methods and tools that were used were outdated. In 1881, Taylor brought out a study on the science of metal cutting. (The Principles of Scientific Management 1910, 2005) Later on, different shovels were tested and the optimum shape of the shovel was designed which would allow the worker shovel without any hindrance for the entire day. This improved efficiency as the number of people required to do a certain kind of work like shovelling reduced considerably. Other areas of research included the moving of pig iron. If workers were usually moving 12.5 tonnes of pig iron per day, he conducted experiments which later on proved that given sufficient rest timings in between lifts, a certain percentage of people could transport 47.5 tonnes per day. This generated the idea that workers should be selected as to how they were suited for a particular job. 1. Each and every process was backed up with a scientific explanation. This provided for a comprehensive method of optimizing work efficiency rather than go by an outdated thumb rule. This is because each process has definite character constraints affected by geographical locations and work culture. 2. There should be a scientific method of selecting an individual to do a certain kind of work. After the right person has been selected proper training and guidance should be provided to make his transition into the job easier. There should always be development programmes to enhance his skills while on the job. 3. There should be a list of procedures laid down by the company commonly called QAP (Quality Assurance Procedures). These define the methods and the checklists to be followed while carrying out a certain procedure. The company should ensure that there is complete co-operation between the management and the employees when carrying out processes as per the QAP.