Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

126 EFFICIENCY METHODS only two discussed the former subject. One might suggest that his title was somewhat responsible for this. But the salient fact is that the engineers and works managers present were immediately ready to devote their attention to a new piece-rate system ; the problem how to make any piece-rate effective was constantly present to them. It should be observed at once that while Dr. Taylor believed that his whole system would succeed in making workmen do their best, he did not con- sider the differential piece-rate essential to its foundation. It has not indeed been generally adopted in its original form by those who otherwise follow him closely ; they prefer, in the main, Mr. Gantt’s “ Task and Bonus ” system, the first modi- fication which was suggested. According to an editorial in Industrial Engineering in 1911,1 the Link Belt Works, however, now use this differential rate with success among their workmen. What Dr. laylor aimed at primarily was to create a management that should have the expert know- ledge necessary to pronounce how long a given job ought to take. That knowledge was to be gained by his new methods of time-study. He saw that on many jobs one of the primary methods of remunera- tion might still have to be used, but he meant to use any of them with a difference. What are the primary methods ? They are usually referred to as “ time-wage,” and “piece- rate.” In the former a worker is paid for his time, 1 Vol. viii., p. 377. See also C. B. Thompson’s Collection.