Motion Study
A Method for Increasing the Efficiency of the Workman

PAST, PRESENT, AND FUTURE OF MOTION STUDY 93 queer that the workman’s output can always be doubled and oftentimes more than tripled by scientific motion study. Again, scientifically attained methods only can become Ultimate methods. Any method which seems after careful study to have attained perfection, using absolutely the least number of most effective, shortest motions, may be thrown aside when a new way of transporting or placing material or men is introduced. It is pitiful to think of the time, money, strength, and brains that have been wasted on devising and using wonderfully clever but not fundamentally de- rived methods of doing work, which must inevitably be discarded for the latter. The standardizing of the trades will utilize every atom of such heretofore wasted energy. The standardizing of the trades affords a definite best method of doing each element. Having but one standard method of doing each element divides the amount of time-study data necessary to take by a number equal to the number of different equally good methods that could be used. The greatest step forward can be made only when time- study data can be made by one and used by all. A system of interchange and cooperation in the use of the data of scientific management can then be used by all persons interested. This reduction and simplification of taking time study is the real reason for insistence upon making and maintain-