Page:Principles of scientific management.djvu/133

129 the underlying principles of scientific management, will lead to failure and disaster if accompanied by the wrong spirit in those who are using it. Hundreds of people have already mistaken the mechanism of this system for its essence. Messrs. Gantt, Barth, and the writer have presented papers to the American Society of Mechanical Engineers on the subject of scientific management. In these papers the mechanism which is used has been described at some length. As elements of this mechanism may be cited:

Time study, with the implements and methods for properly making it. Functional or divided foremanship and its superiority to the old-fashioned single foreman. The standardization of all tools and implements used in the trades, and also of the acts or movements of workmen for each class of work.

The desirability of a planning room or department. The "exception principle" in management.

The use of slide-rules and similar time-saving implements.

Instruction cards for the workman. The task idea in management, accompanied by a large bonus for the successful performance of the task.

The "differential rate." Mnemonic systems for classifying manufactured products as well as implements used in manufacturing.