Efficiency Methods
An Introduction to Scientific Management

TIME-STUDY AND MOTION-STUDY 87 i.e., to discover which of two ways of lifting or pulling or placing will take less time, but the actual record of the times taken at this stage will have no per- manent value. The first stage of work, as outlined, is better described as motion-study. All sorts of changes in condition are suggested and tried, with the object of simplifying the motions. The position of the worker may be changed from standing to sitting ; from a low seat to a high seat. The material supplied may be put in a different place, or arranged so as to be taken up in a different way. The same applies to the tools used, and to the product as it leaves the machine or the worker’s hands. Every general condition should be studied, at the same time, with a view to improvements ; the lighting of the work- place, conditions as to heat or damp, the dress and attitude of the worker—all have their share of attention. The most interesting examples of this sort of work in the early pioneer days of Ta.yloria.n management will be found in the details of Dr. Taylor’s work on shovelling, and Mr. Gilbreth s work on bricklaying. In the first case the best weight that can be carried in the shovel at a time, for continued work, was ascertained J and then the size and shape of the shovel for carrying different materials were adjusted. In the second case the changes made were chiefly in the way in which the bricks were supplied to the worker, the height at which they were placed in