Functional Foremanship and other techniques

April 17, 2020

Good morning boys! Let us see the answer to yesterday's case study.

Ans is Science, not rule of thumb and Cooperation, not individualism.

Now, we will start techniques of Taylor.

Learning objectives- At the end of the topic, students will be able to- 
1) Discuss the functional foremanship technique.
2) Explain the various studies under work study. 
3) Differentiate between standardisation and simplification technique.

Q.41 Explain the technique of functional foremanship. (4/5)
Ans-  Diagram will be made first.( given seperately).

1) This technique states that the task of supervision is divided into several specialised functions and each function  is entrusted to a specialist forman.
2) This technique is an extension of principle of division of work or specialisation but it violates the principle of unity of command .
3) This technique advocated separation of planning and execution function. Taylor proposed eight specialist formen, four under each department which are planning and production departments.
4) Their role are as follows:
a) Instruction Card Clerk- It drafts instructions for workers.
b) Route Clerk- It specifies the route of production.
c) Time and Cost Clerk- It prepares time and cost sheet.
d) Disciplinarian- It ensures discipline in the organisation.
e) Speed Boss- It ensures timely and accurate completion of job.
f) Gang Boss- It keeps machines and tools, etc ready for operation by workers.
g) Repair Boss- It ensures proper working conditions of machines and tools.
h) Inspector- It checks the quality of work.

Q.42  Explain Standardisation and Simplification of Work. (4)
Ans- 1) Standardisation of work refers to the process of setting standards for every business activity. Example- Standardisation of process, raw materials, time, product, machinery, methods and working conditions.
2) Objectives of Standardisation:
a) To reduce a given line or product to fixed types, sizes and characteristics.
b) To establish standards of excellence and quality in materials.
c) To establish standards of performance of men and machines.
d) To establish interchangeability of manufactured parts and products.
3) Simplification of work aims at eliminating unnecessary diversity of products. It results in savings of cost of labour, machines and tools. It implies reduced inventories, fuller utilisation of equipment and increasing turnover.

Q.43 Explain work study as a technique of scientific management. ( 1.5*4=6)
Ans Work study is a systematic and critical examination of all the factors related to work so as to maximise efficiency. It includes the following techniques-
1) Method study -a) It refers to finding out one best way of doing a particular job. There are various methods for completing any job.
b)Its main objective is to minimise the cost of production and maximize the quality and satisfaction of the customer.
c) According to Taylor,  the method of production should not be decided by rule of thumb approach but all the methods should be applied in the organisation and the method which brings maximum benefits with minimum cost should be adopted.
2) Motion study -
a) It is the technique used to study the various movements like lifting ,putting objects, sitting , etc of workers while performing a particular task.
b)The objective is to identify wasteful or unnecessary movements or motions  and eliminate them to determine the best way of doing a particular job.
c) Taylor used stop watches and various symbols and colours to identify different motion which are productive and unproductive. It will increase the productivity as well as efficiency level of the workers.
3) Time Study-
a)It determines the standard time taken to perform a well defined job.
b)The objective is to determine the number of workers to be employed, frame suitable incentive schemes and determine labour costs.
c)The method of time study will depend upon volume and frequency of the task and the cycle time of the operation and time measurement costs.
d) Example- On the basis of several observations,  it is determined that standard time taken by a worker to make hundred pencils is 20 minutes.So in one hour , a worker will make 300 pens. Assuming that a worker works for 8 hours in a shift and after deducting 1 hour for rest and lunch it is determined that in 7 hours a worker will make 2100 pens that is @ 300 pens per hour . Thus, this is the fair day's work standard for a worker.

4) Fatigue Study-
a) It seeks to determine the amount and frequency of rest intervals required in completing a task.
b) It is used to find out how long a person can perform the standard task without any adverse effect on hus health and effuciency.
c) The causes of fatigue are continuous long working hours, doing unsuitable work,  unhealthy relations with the management, bad working conditions like poor lighting, ventilation, etc