Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

THE SCHEDULE TIME OR STANDARD TASK 105 contribution on this suggestion by a psychologist, Mr. W. R. Wright, who does not appear to have been at all aware of Taylor’s industrial methods at the date of his experiments (1904-5). His general conclusions were— 1. The subject accomplished more work when working under the mental stimulus of having a set task to be performed than he did when working without a definite aim. 2. A known impossibility to accomplish the re- quired condition tends to decrease the sub- ject’s total results. 3. The fatigue accompanying work is not so great when the subject is working under the direct stimulus of a definite aim, notwithstanding the fact that he has at the same time produced an increase in his amount of work. These conclusions seem certainly favourable to the idea of a standard task, not too difficult. The work done was muscular. A good many experiments were tried, but the number of individuals who were the subjects of experiment was small. Two women were included, and about half a dozen men. There was some considerable amount of variation in the percentage changes for different people. Mrs. Gilbreth also deprecates the word “ task,” and would like it to be changed to “ stint.” This has been used in certain industries in England, but