The Eighth Principle- Patterns and Standards

-

 


One of the major themes in Emerson’s 12 principles was the idea of standardization. He advocated that standardization was a basis for efficiency, which is a widely accepted theme today.

His 8th principle, “Requirements must be tailored to the individuals and vice versa” is a prime example of the theme of standardization. 

Emerson theorized that by standardizing working conditions that the efficiency of workplaces would improve, and it has. It has been found that standardized work has a plethora of benefits including creating stability, keeping quality consistent and reducing variability in products. Along with standardizing the workplace, Emerson also presented the idea of bonus plans. This plan raised the workers wage in accordance with the workers productivity and efficiency. This plan also incentivized employees, which in turn increased productivity and efficiency. Furthermore, it has been found that standardized working conditions have increased worker satisfaction rates, safety, makes it easier to train new employees, and is the basis for continuous improvement. 


-Paige




Continuous Improvement Blog. (2014). The Importance of Standards & Standardized Work. [online] Available at: https://blogs.mtu.edu/improvement/2014/04/25/the-importance-of-standards-standardized-work/.

‌Lean Enterprise Institute. (n.d.). Standardized Work. [online] Available at: https://www.lean.org/lexicon-terms/standardized-work/.

CFI (2019). Standardization - Definition, Goal and Example, Effects. [online] Corporate Finance Institute. Available at: https://corporatefinanceinstitute.com/resources/knowledge/economics/standardization/.

‌

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Third Principle- Competent Counsel

-
Image
  The next of Harrington Emerson’s principles of efficiency comes under the heading ‘competent counsel’. In order for the application of any of the other 11 principles to be a success, competent counsel is essential. Emerson shared his knowledge of the fact that with the correct management of labour efficiency and productivity, one could see great results with little costs. However, if competent counsel is unable to be put into practice successfully, there must be a flaw somewhere else within the organisation.  In order to obtain maximum efficiency, there needs to be people working in the firm whose role is to maintain a certain level of control. Whether this be over individuals or larger groups, this person would require the same qualities and develop the same efficiency organisation scheme from top to bottom. Within these different groups he believes there should be a leader appointed for organisational management, and each leader is subject to the direction of the efficienc...
Read more

The Sixth Principle- Reliable, Immediate, and Accurate Records

-
Image
  The sixth principle of Harrington Emerson is reliable immediate and adequate records. This principle is a reflection of Emerson’s view that the measurement of events over time is important in determining if efficiency has been achieved within an industry or company. [1]    Harrington first explains this principle by likening it to warnings offered by nature. He uses an analogy of a scar obtained by a child after touching a hot poker to demonstrate nature’s ability to convey reliable, immediate, and permanent records to humans. [2] As a result of this event, the scar which is left due to a human’s natural ability to produce scar tissue, leaves a permanent reminder or record for the individual that they should be cautious when near hot objects and around fire. He uses this analogy to show that few people will allow themselves to be burnt, because the penalty which they receive in the form of the scar is reliable, immediate and adequate. [2] Thus, this displays that when t...
Read more

The Fourth Principle- Discipline

-
Image
  Leading on from the last, Emerson’s fourth principle of efficiency is related to discipline. When thinking about the meaning of discipline, words like regulation, order and control spring to mind. In order to be disciplined, you need to have a clear idea of what it is you have to do otherwise it can be easy to get side-tracked. Therefore, in scenarios with a need for discipline, generally there is little to no ambiguity and an overriding sense of clarity instead. Inefficiency is one of the greatest problems within organisations, but this single principle has the ability to improve this.  Members of an organisation that are disciplined are also reliable and responsible, knowing and understanding what their role is and how they contribute. In a lot of ways, this links back the third principle of competent counsel because a leader when it comes to efficiency cannot be successful without being disciplined.  One of the most important factors when it comes to this principle, ...
Read more