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GMT - Nusrat Ma'Am: Important Questions
GMT - Nusrat Ma'Am: Important Questions
IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
1. WHAT ARE DIFFERENT LEVELS OF MANAGEMENT ?
The term level of management refers to the line of division that exists between
various managerial positions in an organisation.As the size of the company and
workforce increases, the no. of levels in management increases with it and vice versa.
Levels of Management can be generally classified into three principal
categories, all of which direct managers to perform different functions.
Laying down the objectives and broad policies of the business enterprise.
Issuing necessary instructions for the preparation of department-specific
budgets, schedules, procedures, etc.
Preparing strategic plans and policies for the organization.
Appointing the executives for middle-level management, i.e. departmental
managers.
Establishing controls of all organizational departments.
Since it consists of the Board of Directors, the top management level is also
responsible for communicating with the outside world and is held
accountable towards an organization’s shareholders for the performance of
the enterprise.
Providing overall guidance, direction, and encouraging harmony and
collaboration.
The branch and departmental managers form this middle management level.
These people are directly accountable to top management for the functioning
of their respective departments, devoting more time to organizational and
directional functions. For smaller organizations, there is often only one layer of
middle management, but larger enterprises can see senior and
junior levels within this middle section.
Efficiency and Effectiveness are the two words which are most commonly used by
the people; they are used in place of each other, however they are different. While
efficiency is the state of attaining the maximum productivity, with least effort spent,
effectiveness is the extent to which something is successful in providing the desired
result.
The points, given below describe the substantial differences between efficiency and
effectiveness:
EXAMPLE-
A car is a very effective form of transportation, able to move people across long
distances, to specific places, but a car may not transport people efficiently because
how it uses fuel.
Management as an Art:
Art is the experienced and personal utilisation of subsisting information to accomplish
solicited outcomes. It can be procured via education, research and practice. As art is
involved with the personal utilisation of data some kind of inventiveness and creativity
is needed to follow the fundamental systems acquired. The essential characteristics
of art are as follows:
Management as a Science:
Science is an organised collection of knowledge that emphasises definite universal
truths or the action of comprehensive laws. The central characteristics of science are
as follows:
Management as a Profession:
The profession can be described as an occupation upheld by specific education and
practice, in which entry is limited. A profession has the following features:
Henry Mintzberg, a Canadian management expert and author, came up with the idea
of interweaving practical experience with business theory. In his 1990
book Mintzberg on Management: Inside our Strange World of Organizations, he
listed clearly-defined roles for managers to become effective team leaders.
Interpersonal Roles
These Roles are those whose purpose is to Interact, Motivate and Improve
Relationships between employees.
Informational Roles
Managers know, or must know, How to Understand, Process and Transmit data, in
order to Allocate Resources properly.
4. Monitor: Managers Analyze and draw Accurate Conclusions from available data.
Decisional Roles
Managers tend to fill that position because they know how to make the best Decisions.
A right decision can make a company successful … And a bad one can doom it.
8. Disturbance Handler: Managers must solve the Problems that the Company has.
1. Technical Skills
Technical skills involve skills that give the managers the ability and the
knowledge to use a variety of techniques to achieve their objectives. These
skills not only involve operating machines and software, production tools, and
pieces of equipment but also the skills needed to boost sales, design different
types of products and services, and market the services and the products.
2. Conceptual Skills
These involve the skills managers present in terms of the knowledge and ability for
abstract thinking and formulating ideas. The manager is able to see an entire
concept, analyze and diagnose a problem, and find creative solutions. This helps the
manager to effectively predict hurdles their department or the business as a whole
may face.
The human or the interpersonal skills are the skills that present the managers’ ability
to interact, work or relate effectively with people. These skills enable the managers to
make use of human potential in the company and motivate the employees for better
results.
1. Planning
The planning process includes identifying and setting achievable goals, developing
necessary strategies, and outlining the tasks and schedules on how to achieve the
set goals. Without a good plan, little can be achieved.
2. Communication
Possessing great communication skills is crucial for a manager. It can determine how
well information is shared throughout a team, ensuring that the group acts as a
unified workforce. How well a manager communicates with the rest of his/her team
also determines how well outlined procedures can be followed, how well the tasks
and activities can be completed, and thus, how successful an organization will be.
3. Decision-making
For the organization to run effectively and smoothly, clear and right decisions should
be made. A manager must be accountable for every decision that they make and
also be willing to take responsibility for the results of their decisions. A good manager
needs to possess great decision-making skills, as it often dictates his/her success in
achieving organizational objectives.
4. Delegation
Delegation helps the manager to avoid wastage of time, optimizes productivity, and
ensures responsibility and accountability on the part of employees. Every manager
must have good delegation abilities to achieve optimal results and accomplish the
required productivity results.
5. Problem-solving
Problem-solving is another essential skill. A good manager must have the ability to
tackle and solve the frequent problems that can arise in a typical workday. Problem-
solving in management involves identifying a certain problem or situation and then
finding the best way to handle the problem and get the best solution. It is the ability to
sort things out even when the prevailing conditions are not right. When it is clear that
a manager has great problem-solving skills, it differentiates him/her from the rest of
the team and gives subordinates confidence in his/her managerial skills.
6. Motivating
Bottom Line
Management skills are a collection of abilities that include things such as business
planning, decision-making, problem-solving, communication, delegation, and time
management. While different roles and organizations require the use of various skill
sets, management skills help a professional stand out and excel no matter what their
level. In top management, these skills are essential to run an organization well and
achieve desired business objectives.
The Companies Act, 2013 has formulated Section 135, Companies (Corporate
Social Responsibility) Rules, 2014 and Schedule VII which prescribes mandatory
provisions for Companies to fulfil their CSR. This article aims to analyse these
provisions (including all the amendments therein).
CSR Policy: The CSR Policy of the company shall, inter-alia, include the following
namely :- A list of CSR projects or programs which a company plans to
undertake specifying modalities of execution of such project or programs and
implementation schedules for the same Monitoring process of such projects or
programs A clause specifying that the surplus arising out of the CSR projects or
programs or activities shall not form part of the business profit of the company
CSR Activities: The CSR activities shall be undertaken by the company, as per its
CSR Policy, excluding activities undertaken in pursuance of its normal course of
business. The BoD may decide to undertake its CSR activities approved by the CSR
Committee, through a section 8 company or a registered trust or a registered society,
established by the company, either singly or alongwith any other company, or a
section 8 company or a registered trust or a registered society, established by the
Central Government or State Government or any entity established under an Act of
Parliament or a State legislature a section 8 company or a registered trust or a
registered society, other than those specified in clauses (a) and (b) above, having an
established track record of 3 years in undertaking similar programs or projects;
collaboration with other companies, for undertaking projects or programs or CSR
activities in such a manner that the CSR Committees of respective companies are in
a position to report separately on such projects or programs. The CSR projects or
programs or activities not to be considered as CSR Activities: Expenses for the
benefit of only the employees of the company and their families Contribution of any
amount directly or indirectly to any political party.
Company values are a set of principals that an organization creates in order to guide
it to success. They will help all the members of your organization to work together as
a team to achieve business goals and outcomes. They are often used to build team
culture as well as to influence the way the organization deals with the external world,
such as customer service, and are important for company growth.
Having company values that are communicated well to employees will help you to
ensure the team is working together towards the same goals. All decisions made by
both management and employees alike should align with the values of the company.
All aspects of the business should also align with values, from production and
delivery to relationships, marketing and customer service.
Integrity
Honesty
Trust
Accountability
Quality
Teamwork
Commitment
Dedication
Customer service
Ownership.
When you don’t have company values, its hard to know what your business stands
for or what it is trying to achieve. This is not a recipe for success, it is a recipe for
disaster.
Company values can make your organization successful in the following ways:
When employees have a good understanding of what the company stands for, it’s
easier for them to make decisions that align with this. In many ways, your company
values are your organization’s moral compass and can help employees to navigate
difficult decisions and situations.
There are many ways the values of business will help to boost internal culture, and
improvements in internal communications are towards the top of the list. Values that
include openness, transparency, accountability and collaboration naturally lend
themselves to communicating well to achieve results. Without good internal
communication, people can be confused and make mistakes. They are also likely to
be less productive.
A set of core company values can boost the levels of employee engagement and
motivation within your company. When people feel a connection with their employer
and are happy with the work they are doing, they’re more likely to have higher levels
of morale and go above and beyond to help the organization succeed.
4. Attract the right employees
When your company values are clear, you’ll be more likely to attract candidates who
align with those values, ensuring that you are able to recruit new team members who
are the right fit for the organization.
Your firm values should be reflected in the dealings you have with clients, customers
and other stakeholders. It will help them to understand what they can expect from
your company and your brand, and can build trust and respect.
Meaning of Planning
Planning is ascertaining prior to what to do and how to do. It is one of the primary
managerial duties. Before doing something, the manager must form an opinion on
how to work on a specific job. Hence, planning is firmly correlated with discovery and
creativity. But the manager would first have to set goals. Planning is an essential step
what managers at all levels take. It requires making decisions since it includes
selecting a choice from alternative ways of performance.
Planning Process
As planning is an activity, there are certain reasonable measures for every manager
to follow:
(1) Setting Objectives
This is the primary step in the process of planning which specifies the
objective of an organisation, i.e. what an organisation wants to achieve.
The planning process begins with the setting of objectives.
Objectives are end results which the management wants to achieve by its
operations.
Objectives are specific and are measurable in terms of units.
Objectives are set for the organisation as a whole for all departments, and
then departments set their own objectives within the framework of
organisational objectives.
(2) Developing Planning Premises
Planning is essentially focused on the future, and there are certain events
which are expected to affect the policy formation.
Such events are external in nature and affect the planning adversely if
ignored.
Their understanding and fair assessment are necessary for effective planning.
Such events are the assumptions on the basis of which plans are drawn and
are known as planning premises.
(3) Identifying Alternative Courses of Action
In this step, the positive and negative aspects of each alternative need to be
evaluated in the light of objectives to be achieved.
Every alternative is evaluated in terms of lower cost, lower risks, and higher
returns, within the planning premises and within the availability of capital.
(5) Selecting One Best Alternative
The best plan, which is the most profitable plan and with minimum negative
effects, is adopted and implemented.
In such cases, the manager’s experience and judgement play an important
role in selecting the best alternative.
(6) Implementing the Plan
This is the step where other managerial functions come into the picture.
This step is concerned with “DOING WHAT IS REQUIRED”.
In this step, managers communicate the plan to the employees clearly to help
convert the plans into action.
This step involves allocating the resources, organising for labour and
purchase of machinery.
(7) Follow Up Action
Meaning of Organising:
Organising is a “process of defining the essential relationships among people, tasks
and activities in such a way that all the organisation’s resources are integrated and
coordinated to accomplish its objectives efficiently and effectively”. — Pearce and
Robinson
(ii) A Process.
As a structure:
Organising is a set of relationships that defines vertical and horizontal relationships
amongst people who perform various tasks and duties. The organisational task is
divided into units, people in each unit (departments) are assigned specific tasks and
their relationship is defined in a way that maximises organisational welfare and
individual goals. The relationship amongst people is both vertical and horizontal
Organisation structure specifies division of work and shows how different functions or
activities are linked; to some extent it also shows the level of specialisation of work
activities. It also indicates the organisation’s hierarchy and authority structure, and
shows its reporting relationships. — Robert H. Miles
As a process:
While the structure designs the system and its sub-systems, process defines the way
this structure is designed. Structure is the static concept that establishes
relationships amongst various components of the organisation. It first designs the
component and then establishes relationships amongst these components.
These relationships are by and large permanent. They do not change frequently
unless disturbed by external environmental forces. Process is the dynamic concept
that redefines the structure whenever required. It defines change in the system over
time.
While the structure defines how the work of the organisation will be divided into
various positions, groups and departments, process defines the sequence of which
the structure is designed. It defines relationships amongst people in such a way that
organisational goals are achieved efficiently.
Process of Organising:
The process of organising involves the following steps:
Every head has authority to get the work done from his departmental members. He
delegates responsibility and authority to members of his department. This creates a
structure of relationships where every individual knows his superiors and
subordinates and their reporting relationships.
Importance of Organising:
Organising is important for the following reasons:
(i) Facilitates Administration:
Top managers cannot perform all the organisational tasks as they will be
overburdened to concentrate on strategic matters. It is essential that part of the
workload is shared by middle and lower level managers. Top executives will be
relieved of managing routine affairs and concentrate on effective administration.
Staffing is the process of hiring eligible candidates in the organization or company for
specific positions. In management, the meaning of staffing is an operation of recruiting
the employees by evaluating their skills, knowledge and then offering them specific job
roles accordingly.
Functions of Staffing
1. The first and foremost function of staffing is to obtain qualified personnel for
different jobs position in the organization.
2. In staffing, the right person is recruited for the right jobs, therefore it leads to
maximum productivity and higher performance.
3. It helps in promoting the optimum utilization of human resource through various
aspects.
4. Job satisfaction and morale of the workers increases through the recruitment of
the right person.
5. Staffing helps to ensure better utilization of human resources.
6. It ensures the continuity and growth of the organization, through development
managers.
Importance of Staffing
For the efficient performance of other functions of management, staffing is its key.
Since, if an organization does not have the competent personnel, then it cannot
perform the functions of management like planning, organizing and control functions
properly.
The wage bill of big concerns is quite high. Also, a huge amount is spent on
recruitment, selection, training, and development of employees. To get the optimum
output, the staffing function should be performed in an efficient manner.
The right type of climate should be created for the workers to contribute to the
achievement of the organizational objectives. Therefore, by performing the staffing
function effectively and efficiently, the management is able to describe the significance
and importance which it attaches to the personnel working in the enterprise.
Definition
Leadership is defined as the action or an act of guidance of leading a group of
people or an organisation. For example,- what a pastor does in his state, a
commander does in the play area, the supervisor needs to do the same in his
association. Leaders in varying backgrounds possess certain essential
characteristics. Leaders ought to have the option to set up contact with their
equivalents, manage their subordinates and guide them, intervene in clashes,
resolve issues by weighing different other options, apportion scant assets
appropriately and face challenges and activities.
Styles of Leadership
Autocratic Style
Affiliative Style
The laissez-faire leadership style is the exact opposite of the Autocratic style
of leadership. This leadership style involves the least amount of oversight,
where the leader lets the people swim with the current of their issues. On the
surface, the laissez-faire leader may appear to trust individuals but taken to the
extreme situation; an uninvolved leader is aloof. While it's beneficial for a
leader to give people opportunities to spread their wings, but with the lack of
direction, individuals may unwittingly drift away in the wrong direction, away
from the monthly or crucial yearly goals of the organisation.
The Laissez-Faire Style is best suitable for highly skilled and experienced employees
who happen to be motivated and self-starters. To be most effective with the laissez-
faire style, leaders should monitor team performance and provide them with regular
feedback.
Importance of Leadership
Motivation:
Leaders spur the workers to take up occupations that they, in any case, may not be
eager to work out.
Provides Feedback:
At the point when individuals run after very much characterised targets, they need a
steady input of their presentation, which helps in accomplishing their objectives
adequately. Leaders give them this criticism.
Introducing Change:
Successful leaders can persuade individuals about the need and advantages of
authoritative change. The change cycle can, consequently, be easily completed.
Maintain Discipline:
Leadership is an incredible impact that upholds discipline in the association beyond
what formal principles and guidelines can. Individuals will be submitted and faithful to
rules and guidelines if their chiefs believe in them.
Features of Leadership
There are various methods that are used by managers and supervisors to
evaluate employees based on objective and subjective factors, however, it
can get a bit tricky, but to effectively evaluate an employee both factors are
essential.
Step 3: The feedback received from the survey can be kept anonymous. This
feedback can be analyzed real-time by using
QuestionPro’s Workforce platform, that measures, analyzes and activates
data to get actionable insights.
For probationary employees, the probation period usually lasts between three
to six months. Their evaluation is based on whether they have come at pace
with the work and culture of the organization and if they are ready to take up
more responsibilities.
There are 5 performance appraisal methods. Using one of these methods for
performance appraisal can help organizations gain partial information.
However, combining one or more methods will lead to extracting better
information and accurate data. It is one thing to collect data and another to do
something actionable with it.
If the motivation has been done or happened by another person or a third party, it is
known as extrinsic motivation. Because it happened with the help of outside forces.
On the other hand, if the motivation is done from the inside of the mind or soul and
one gets motivated by themselves, it is called intrinsic motivation. Let us discuss the
importance of motivation, its significance, and its benefits to the employees and the
organisation in detail.
The importance of employee motivation may benefit the organisation in many ways.
Let see some of the advantages of employee motivation to the firm as given below-
Abraham Maslow had proposed the hierarchy of needs theory in 1943 based on an
assumption that there is a hierarchy of five needs in human life. The urgency and
importance may vary from person to person.
The needs are classified into five categories as per the theory in an order to
understand their importance and relevance to humans.
Physiological Needs: The needs which are important for human survival and
maintenance are called Physiological needs. They are considered basic
needs or amenities such as shelter, food, clothes, water, air, etc.
Safety Needs: The needs which help a human feel protected and secured
are called the safety needs of a human. These needs could be physical
safety, emotional safety, environmental safety or even protection of life and
family.
Social Needs: Humans are called Social animals as they need love and
affection. There is always a need for care from family and friends.
Esteem Needs: There are two factors to esteem needs. Esteem needs could
be internal or external. Internal esteem needs confidence, freedom, self-
respect, etc. External esteem needs attention, recognition, power, etc.
Self Actualization Needs: This need includes a certain urge to become what
you think you have the potential to become. This need is directed more
towards the growth and success of an individual. These types of needs are
insatiable needs. The more knowledge a person gains the more he believes
in his capabilities and in turn there would never be a feeling of saturation of
these types of needs.
As per the theory, Maslow believes that human needs are unsatisfactory but are the
base of motivation for humans. He has bifurcated these above needs into two
categories. The Higher-order needs and the lower-order needs. The Physiological
and safety needs are lower-order needs as they can be satisfied externally. The
other three needs are classified as higher-order needs - social, esteem and self-
actualization as they can be only satisfied internally. As an organisation or an
employer, it is important that the lower-order needs of the employees are satisfied to
promote motivation.
Inspiration is a single word that has a lot in it. The importance of inspiration can be
understood only with experiences only. It can't be explained in a few lines. Along with
the organisation, their employees will also get several benefits with motivation. They
are,
Each manager must monitor and evaluate the activities of their subordinates. This
helps the manager to take corrective action within the specified time frame to avoid
unforeseen events or losses to the company.
Features of Controlling
Setting standards: This means setting a goal that must be achieved in order to
meet the organisation’s objectives.
Standards specify the criteria for performance. Control standards are divided into
quantitative and qualitative standards. Quantitative standards are expressed in terms
of money. Qualitative standards, on the other hand, include intangible things.
Types of Controlling
Techniques of Controlling
These types of reports are prepared and used in large organisations. Reports are prepared in
quantitative terms. Then, the variations from standards are easily measured. In this way,
control is exercised by the management. A periodical report of sales volume is an example of
statistical control reports.
Using this technique, the manager personally observes the operations in the work place. The
manager corrects the operations whenever the need arises. This is the oldest method of
control. Employees work cautiously to get better performance. The reason is that they are
personally observed by their supervisor.
Personal observation is a time-consuming technique and the supervisor does not have
enough time to afford personal observation. Personal observation technique is disliked by the
honest and efficient employee. The observer may be biased in performance evaluation.
Profit of any business depends upon the cost incurred to run a business. Profit is maximised
by reducing the cost of operation or production, so, the business concern gives much
importance to the cost accounting and cost control. Management uses a number of systems
for determining the cost of products and services. The cost accounting procedures and
methods differ from one industry to another according to the nature of industry. They are used
for effective cost control and cost reduction.
It is otherwise called as – ‘cost volume profit analysis.’ It analyses relationship among cost of
production, volume of production, volume of sales and profits. Here, total costs are divided
into two i.e., fixed cost and variable cost. Fixed cost will never change according to the
changes in the volume of production. Variable cost varies according to the volume of
production. This analysis helps in determining the volume of production or sales and the total
cost which is equal to the revenue.
The excess of revenue over total cost is termed as profit. The point at which sales is equal to
the total cost is known as ‘Break Even Point’ (BEP). In other words, the break-even point is
the point at which there is no profit or loss.
This report may or may not contain statistical data. Using this technique, a particular
operation is investigated at a specified time for a particular purpose. This is done according to
the requirements of management but not in regular basis. The deviations from standards are
paid additional attention and corrective action is taken. Handling complaints of damage is an
example of this type of control technique.
Management audit is an independent process. It aims at pointing out the inefficiency in the
performance of management functions such as planning, organising, staffing, directing,
controlling and suggesting possible improvements. It helps the management to handle the
operations in an effective manner. Management audit is not a compulsory audit and not
enforced by law.
Return on investment is also known as return on the capital employed. Using this technique,
the rate of profitability is identified by the management. The amount of profits earned by the
company is different from the rate of profitability of the company.
The difference between the cost and revenue is profit. The rate of profitability is the earning
capacity of the company. Return on investments is calculated by dividing the net profit with
the total investment or capital employed in the business organisation.
Internal audit report is prepared at regular intervals, normally by months. It covers all the area
of operations. This report is sent to the top management. The management takes steps to
control the performance on the basis of the report. Internal audit report emphasises the
degree of deviations from the expectations. It is very useful to attain the objectives on timely
basis.
The performance of various people is judged by assessing how far they have achieved pre-
determined objectives. The objectives are framed section-wise, department-wise and division-
wise and assessed similarly. Costs are allocated department-wise rather than product-wise.
Each department, section or division, is fixed as responsible centres. An individual is
responsible for his area of operation in a particular section, department or division.
Technique # 10. Managerial Statistics:
Using the managerial statistics technique, the manager compares the past results with current
results in order to know the causes for changes. These are very useful to the management in
planning and decision-making for the future. According to Kenit O. Hauson, “Managerial
statistics deal with data and methods which are useful to management executives in planning
and controlling of organisation activities.”
This technique is used to solve the problem which crops up once or a few times. It is not
useful in tackling the problems which come up continuously. The PERT was developed by
Booz, Allen and Hamilton. They used this technique in Polaris Submarine Project under the
sponsorship of U.S. Navy. The PERT technique is very useful for construction projects,
publication of books etc.
This technique also follows the principle of PERT. The technique concentrates on cost rather
than duration. CPM assumes that duration of every activity is constant. Time estimate is
made for each activity. CPM technique was developed by a group of employees of DU de
Nemours Company.
External audit is a must to all the joint-stock companies under the purview of statutory control.
So, it is otherwise known as statutory audit control. This type of audit protects the interests of
the shareholders and creditors of the company.
The external auditor certifies that all the books of accounts are kept as per the requirements
of law and supplies all the necessary information for the purpose of audit and the balance
sheet presents a true and fair view. The external audit is conducted by the qualified auditor.
The qualifications of such type of auditor are fixed by the Central Government.
Technique # 15. Standing Orders:
Standing order covers rules and regulations, discipline, procedure and the like. Rules and
regulations are framed according to the requirements of administration. For example, no
employee should leave the office before office time without getting prior permission in writing.
The preparation of budget is also one of the control techniques followed by the management.
IMPORTANT THEORIES
Henri Fayol is widely regarded as the father of modern management. His management
theories, mostly developed and published in the early 1900s, were a major influence on the
development of industrial management practice throughout the twentieth century.
His ideas were developed independently of other popular management theories of the time,
such as Human Relations or Elton Mayo’s scientific management theories — although they
drew similar conclusions about the importance of worker wellbeing to productivity.
Otherwise, it’s important to note that what Fayol offers are simply “some of the
principles of management which [he has] most frequently had to apply.” He states
that “there is no limit to the number of principles of management” and “every rule or
managerial procedure which strengthens the body corporate or facilitates its
functioning has a place among the principles.”
With the above in mind, the following describes each of the 14 components of Fayol’s
administrative principles approach.
1. Division of work:
Specialization helps to “produce more and better work with the same effort” by
reducing “the number of objects to which attention and effort must be directed.”
2. Authority:
3. Discipline:
4. Unity of command:
“For any action whatsoever, an employee should receive orders from one
superior only… Should it be violated, authority is undermined, discipline is in
jeopardy, order disturbed, and stability threatened.”
This principle is emphasized as being especially important.
5. Unity of direction:
A group of activities with the same objective should have one plan and one
person in charge. This is “essential to unity of action, coordination of strength,
and focusing of effort.”
Everyone should work in the combined best interests of everyone involved rather
than in their own best interests.
Managers can influence positive behavior through: “firmness and good
example,” “agreements as fair as is possible,” and “constant supervision.”
7. Remuneration:
Authority should move from the top down in order to maintain unity of command,
but lateral communication is possible if superiors are aware of and support it.
The line of authority should be as short as possible.
“It is an error to depart needlessly from the line of authority, but it is an even
greater one to keep to it when detriment to the business ensues.”
10. Order:
Materials must have “a place appointed for each thing and each thing must be in
its appointed place.” Places should also be “suitably arranged” and “well
chosen.” This is to avoid “useless handling, lost time, [and] risk of mistakes.”
In addition, there should be “an appointed place for every employee” and each
employee is suitable for their place.
Charts or plans are recommended in order to organize materials and people.
11. Equity:
Managers should “strive to instill [a] sense of equity” throughout their chain of
command and use “equity and equality of treatment” when dealing with
employees.
“Instability of tenure is at one and the same time cause and effect of bad
running.” In the case of personnel, they should be in a position long enough to
have time to “render worthwhile service”; if not, “the work will never be properly
done.” But, like all other principles, it’s “a question of proportion”; tenure can also
be too long.
13. Initiative:
“It is essential to encourage and develop [initiative],” but to also ensure “respect
for authority and for discipline.” “Other things being equal…a manager able to
permit the exercise of initiative on the part of subordinates is infinitely superior to
one who cannot do so;” and
During the early years of his career, Taylor studied the working patterns in
manufacturing industries. He found that there are several issues in industrial
management that previous management theories don’t address. In Taylor’s seminal
work The Principles of Scientific Management, he argued that making people work
hard wasn’t as effective as optimizing the way they worked. In other words, he
proposed that optimizing jobs would increase productivity. Taylor was later dubbed
the ‘Father of Scientific Management’.
1. Emphasis On Science
Taylor believed that all industries should adopt scientific techniques for essential
management decisions instead of relying on outdated methods. Earlier, the rule-of-
thumb method, which developed as a result of experience and personal judgment
instead of proper technical research, dominated the workplace. Scientific management
solved the challenges posed by the conventional methods as it:
Be Vocal About Requirements (Physical, Mental And Others) For Employees For
Each Job
Select And Train Employees, And Help Them Meet Job Requirements
Offer Opportunities To Improve Performance Levels, Efficiency And Prosperity.
4. Mental Revolution
Taylor realized that there should be a complete change in outlook, both from
management and employee, to improve organizational efficiency. Change in attitude and
behavior towards each other is instrumental in rolling things out in a time-efficient
manner. Here’s how employees and employers can change things:
Employees And Employers Need To Recognize Each Other’s Efforts And Should
Work Toward A Mutually Beneficial Relationship
Managers Should Use Scientific Management Techniques To Improve The Working
Conditions Of Employees; They Should Increase Pay For Increased Output
Employees Should Utilize Available Resources And Perform Their Jobs With
Attention And Dedication; Increased Remuneration Should Act As An Incentive To
Boost Productivity
5. Optimum Output
An organization’s effectiveness also relies on the personal interests, skills and abilities of
employees. Implementing, training and learning best practices will maximize output. In
addition to training, organizations should:
Follow The Principle Of Maximum Output Instead Of Restricted Output And Focus On
Maximizing Prosperity For Both Managers And Employees
Help Employees Utilize Available Resources To Gain Higher Profits And Wages
Help Employees Attain The Highest Level Of Efficiency By Recognizing Their Strengths