Frederick W. Taylor, Scientific Management and Standardized Testing

Cynthia Crossen writing in "Deja vu" on Taylor, whose ideas continue to this day in the education world (among others):

"You have been quarreling because there have been no proper standards for a day's work," Mr. Taylor chided bosses. "You do not know what a proper day's work is. We make a bluff at it and the other side makes a guess at it, and then we fight."

The second part of Mr. Taylor's system was a task-bonus wage plan. Each worker was given a daily production target. If he made it, he got a high price per piece. If he failed, he received a much lower rate. At one machine shop, for example, Mr. Taylor set a rate of 35 cents apiece if the machinist finished 10 pieces a day, 25 cents if he finished nine or fewer.

Skeptical manufacturers wondered whether better productivity would be more than offset by higher wages. Mr. Taylor's answer: If his time study had been carried out correctly, it would be very difficult for a worker to beat the target.

Much more on Taylor here.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at November 6, 2006 12:37 PM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas