“Industrial engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of men, materials, equipment and energy. It draws upon specialized knowledge and skill in the mathematical, physical and social sciences together with the principles and methods of engineering analysis and design to specify, predict, and evaluate the results to be obtained from such systems.”
Industrial engineer differs from other forms of engineering because it involves specifically with the functions of production and distribution.
Before: One operator all the operations
After: One operator one operation
2. Frederick Taylor (1859-1915): Frederick Taylor is generally credited with being the father of industrial management and industrial engineering. Taylor was mechanical engineer who initiated investigations of better work methods and went on to become the first individual to develop an integrated theory of management principles and methodologies. Taylor believed that scientific approach to management could improve labor efficiency.
Industrial engineer differs from other forms of engineering because it involves specifically with the functions of production and distribution.
History and
development of industrial engineering:
History of industrial engineering dates back to
industrial revolution and it has passed through various phases to rich the
present advanced and developed stage. Though F. W. Taylor is named as father of
scientific management and industrial engineering, there are many others who
contribute to the industrial engineering field before Taylor then they got
associated with industrial engineering.
1. Adam Smith (1776): Adam Smith through his book titled Wealth of Nation laid foundation to scientific manufacturing. He introduced the concept of “division of labor”. through his concept which included skill development, time savings and the use of specialized machine was able to influence the factory system
Before: One operator all the operations
After: One operator one operation
2. Frederick Taylor (1859-1915): Frederick Taylor is generally credited with being the father of industrial management and industrial engineering. Taylor was mechanical engineer who initiated investigations of better work methods and went on to become the first individual to develop an integrated theory of management principles and methodologies. Taylor believed that scientific approach to management could improve labor efficiency.
Taylor developed five principle of Scientific Management
- Scientifically study each part of task and develop the one best way of doing it
- select the best person to the job
- Train, teach and develop the worker
- Provide financial incentives for following the designated method
- Divide work and responsibility so that managers are responsible for planning the work method and workers are responsible for executing the work as planned.
Above principles became the basic guidelines for managing the work of individuals. Taylor's approach had a significant impact on American society; it led to increases in productivity. His ideas also stimulated others to continue the formulation of management thought.
3. Frank Gilbreth (1868- 1924), Lillian Gilbreth (1878-1972)
Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were a husband-wife team of industrial engineers. The advancement of motion study and work simplification is a contribution by them. They emphasized the relationship between output and the effort of the worker and develop method study as a tool for work analysis. With the use of motion picture cameras, Gilbreth developed micro motion study, a breakdown of work into fundamental elements and found most efficient and economical motions for each job. . Working individually and together, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth developed numerous techniques and strategies for eliminating inefficiency.
A major difference between the work of Taylor and Gilbreth is the division of jobs into elements. Gilbreths’ division of work (motion study) is relatively smaller than Taylor’s (time study).
Henry Gantt was an industrial engineer contemporary of Taylor, had a profound impact on the development of the philosophy of management. His many contributions, derived from long years of working with Frederick Taylor in various industries and as an industrial consultant, include the following aspects:
- Work in the field of motivation and development of plans and premiums tasks, with an incentive plan for success.
- Greater consideration to the workers of which was usually intended by management time Gantt. Advocate for the training of workers by management.
- Recognition of corporate social responsibility and industry.
- Control of the management results through Gantt charts and other techniques.
One of his major contributions to industrial engineering is known as bar chart or Gantt chart, which consists of a diagram in which the horizontal axis represents the time units, and the vertical are recorded the various functions, which are represented by horizontal bars indicate the various times that each application.
5. Harrington Emerson (1853-1931) Harrington Emerson was one of the pioneers in industrial engineering and management and organizational theory. He developed managerial concept simultaneously with Taylor Gantt and Gilbreth. His major contributions were to install his management methods at many industrial firms and to promote the ideas of scientific management and efficiency to a mass audience. The principles of efficiency were further developed by Harrington Emerson. He contributed to the systems efficiency focus of industrial engineering. In his book he discussed efficiency design of organization through 12 principles:
1. Clearly defined ideals
2. Common sense
3. Competent counsel
4. Discipline
5. The fair deal
6. Reliable, immediate and adequate records
7. Despatching
8. Standards and schedules
9. Standardized conditions
10. Standardized operations
11. Written standard-practice instructions
12. Efficiency-reward
12. Efficiency-reward
6. Henry Ford(1863 - 1947)
Henry Ford was the founder of the American Ford Motor Company and often credited as father of modern assembly lines used in mass production. His innovation reduced the time to build a car from more than 700 minutes to 93 minutes. In addition, he was a pioneer of the economy of the capitalist welfare ("welfare capitalism") and the flag of providing financial incentives for employees to increase productivity.
As owner of the Ford Motor Company, he became one of the richest and best-known people in the world. He is credited with "Fordism", that is, the mass production of large numbers of inexpensive automobiles using the assembly line, coupled with high wages for his workers.