Scientific management
Scientific management is Frederick Taylor’s approach to improving work through systematic study of tasks, specified methods, suitable selection and training, and cooperation between management and workers. It gives management responsibility for designing work rather than leaving each worker to devise a method independently. Its productivity focus can overlook autonomy, social needs and changing work requirements if applied mechanically.
Worked example
A packing operation studies task sequences, removes unnecessary handling, trains staff in an improved safe method and reviews output and fatigue before adopting it. Merely demanding faster work would not demonstrate systematic task study.
Common mistake
Equating scientific management with any efficiency improvement or attributing every time-and-motion technique to Taylor alone.
Where it appears in your exams
| Qualification | Exam | Relationship | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| ACCA | BT | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |
| ACCA | SBL | Supporting | September 2026–June 2027 |
| FIA | FBT | Direct | September 2026–June 2027 |