Standardisation and Simplification of Work

Standardisation and simplification are two closely related techniques that Frederick Winslow Taylor championed as part of his Scientific Management. Taylor was a strong supporter of standardisation because he believed that the old “rule of thumb” methods were inefficient. His core idea was that management should use scientific methods to analyse every production method, keep only the best practices, refine them further, and then set a single, best standard to be followed throughout the entire organisation.

This process of setting standards is carried out using work-study techniques — time study, motion study, fatigue study, and method study — which are discussed in detail later in the chapter. It is worth noting that even modern business improvement techniques like reengineering, kaizen (continuous improvement), and benchmarking are all aimed at the same goal: standardising work.

What is Standardisation?

Standardisation refers to the process of setting standards for every business activity. These standards can cover almost anything in the production process: the raw material, the machinery, the methods used, the working conditions, the time taken, or even the final product itself. Once set, these standards become the benchmarks that must be followed during production.

The objectives of standardisation are four-fold:

1. To reduce a given line or product to fixed types, sizes, and characteristics.
2. To establish interchangeability of manufactured parts and products (so that a part made in one batch fits perfectly in another).
3. To establish standards of excellence and quality in materials.
4. To establish standards of performance for both men and machines.

What is Simplification?

Simplification is a related but distinct concept. While standardisation is about creating new, better standards, simplification aims at eliminating unnecessary diversity. It focuses on removing superfluous varieties, sizes, and dimensions of products that do not add value.

The benefits of simplification are significant:

• It results in savings in the cost of labour, machines, and tools.
• It leads to reduced inventories (because fewer types of items need to be stocked).
• It allows for fuller utilisation of equipment.
• It increases the turnover of the business. …