Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

38 EFFICIENCY METHODS carry through a system which will produce economy and expedition. The personal equation is the great factor in all efficiency work.” This point has to be emphasized at all stages in our discussion. It has been once again expressed with great earnestness in one of Mr. H. L. Gantt’s most recent articles, when he urges that “ authority to issue an order involves responsibility to see that it is properly executed.” In the discussion on Standardization emphasis will be laid on the importance of every individual of a works receiving a written specification of his duties. It is especially necessary that the work of each person in the planning department should be clearly laid out and efficiently performed each day. In fact, one of the numerous places where scientific management may be said to begin is in this depart- ment. The physicians must heal themselves first. The actual position of the planning department in the works is a very important consideration. It must be close to the shops or operating buildings ; planning cannot keep in touch with execution if it is in an office some miles away from the plant. It must be also in close connection with the general manager, with the drawing-office, with the stores, and with the costs department. The plan given on opposite page is from Lieut. Meyers’ paper on the Science of Management (Ameri- can Society of Naval Engineers, vol. xxiii., reprinted in C. B. Thompson’s Collection, p. 152). It is not