Frederick Winslow Taylor (1856-1915) started his career as an operator and rose to the position of chief engineer. During his work, he conducted various experiments which made the foundation for scientific management. Taylor performed these experiments to reduce wastage and increase operational efficiency. Scientific management implies the use of scientific techniques to identify problems and derive solutions to these problems. According to Taylor, if a job is analyzed scientifically, one best way of doing that work can be found. With this Taylor believed lot of time, effort and material can be saved with a reduction in wastage.

       Principle of Scientific Management

Taylor insisted on the use of a scientific approach in the operational process. He was in favor of the application of scientific techniques at work rather than doing it based on experience and intuition with no standard way of doing it. For this, he propounded the following principles of scientific management:

1. Science, Not Rule of Thumb: In the early days of the industrial revolution, managers used to solve problems at work based on their judgment and intuition. This was refferrd to as the rule of thumb. But this method suffered limitations of trial and error. Hence, Taylor proposed the development of scientific methods. Such methods are to be used to determine the time required for work, fair daily work for workers and the best way of doing the work. Such scientific methods were also proposed to be used to set work standards like use standard tools or equipment and creating the standard working condition.
2. Harmony, Not Discord: This principle states that complete transformation is required in relation to management and workers for their mutual benefits According to this principle, all members of a group should carry out their work in such a harmony that the group effort sums more than added efforts of all individuals.
3. Co-operation, Not Individualism: This principle states that there should be complete co-operation between management and workers instead of individualism. For this, the management must listen to constructive suggestions and advice from their employees. Employees should be regarded as part of management and they should be taken into consideration and confidence while making decisions. 
4. Maximum Output, Not Restricted Output: This principle stresses on the focus of all activities of workers and management for maximum output. According to this principle, management must provide favorable working condition to work and workers must not do any physical or operational effort that restricts maximum output production.
5. Development of Each to Greatest of Efficiency and Prosperity: This principle states every person working must be developed to his/her maximum greatest level. According to this principle, for doing so, workers must be selected scientifically. Work should be assigned based on their physical, mental and emotional capabilities. Moreover, employees should be given timely and sufficient training to make them more competent to work with higher efficiency.

       Techniques of Taylor’s Scientific Management

Above mentioned principles of Taylor have contributed immensely towards scientific management. But scientific management cannot work based on principles only. It requires different tools and techniques for its implementation. For this, Taylor suggested the following techniques of scientific management:

1. Functional Foremanship: This is a technique that involves the supervision of a worker by several specialist foremen. Taylor developed this technique to improve the quality of work as a single supervisor may not be an expert on all aspects of work. Taylor advocated on the appointment of 8 foremen, 4 at planning and 4 at the implementation level. Each worker should take orders to form each of these 8 foremen in the related process of production during their work.
2. Standardization of Work: Standardization is concerned with the process of setting a standard for each activity in a business. According to Taylor standardization of raw materials, machines, methods, processes, working conditions and the product is necessary to achieve standard output and standard level from the workers.
3. Simplification of Work: Simplification refers to the elimination of obstacles arising through size, dimension and varieties. Managers can eliminate unnecessary diversity of products to save the cost of labor, material, machines and tools. Simplification of work results in reduced inventories, fuller utilization of equipment and an increase in production and productivity.
4. Fatigue Study: Fatigue study is a technique that seeks to determine the amount and interval of rest for completing a task. According to Taylor, workers in an organization should be given adequate and frequent rest or pauses to maintain their efficiency. With proper and frequent rest, workers can regain their energy level and work with the same capacity. This ensures a reduction in the efficiency of production.
5. Method Study: Method study is the way of determining the best way to do work ensuring the reduced cost of production and increase customer satisfaction. The best way of doing work is to be determined from the process of procurement of raw materials to the final delivery of products. Taylor advised assembly line technique concerned with arranging a sequence of activities, processes, material, labor and so on to be used during work for making it productive and efficient.
6. Time Study: Time study determines a standard of time taken to complete a well-defined set of work. Managers use time-measuring devices to measure the standard time taken for each element of work and by each worker. Workers are expected to complete the task in such standard time. This helps in determining the required number of workers, labor cost and level of incentives for workers to be employed for the work.
7. Motion Study: Motion study is a technique used to observe and analyze the movement of the body and body parts at the time of doing work. Taylor advised the use of stop watches, colors and symbols to study motion. Managers must use motion study to reduce unnecessary movement during work to minimize the time taken for the work to complete it more efficiently. 
8. Differential Piece Rate System: This is a system of wage payment in which wage is paid based on different rates depending upon the performance of the worker. Standard output criteria are used to measure the performance of workers. Those workers producing above standard are paid ata high rate.
9. Mental Revolution: Mental revolution involves a complete change of attitude of worker and management for each. Both management and worker should realize they need each other to attain company surplus. According to Taylor, management must share obtained surpluses with workers and workers must work the best way to drive profits.

Key Contribution of Taylor’s Principle of Scientific Management

1. Application of scientific methods to solve problems
2. Increase production and productivity
3. Change in attitude of management and workers for each other
4. Focus on increasing capacity and effectiveness of workers
5. Use of scientific methods for machine, manpower and materials
6. Employee motivation through higher incentives and creation of a better working condition
7. Minimization of cost and economies of scale

Limitations of Taylor’s Principle of Scientific Management

1. Exploitation of worker
2. Mechanical approach only
3. The problem of Unity of command
4. No clear separation between planning and doing
5. Wrong assumption of only financial factors motivate workers
6. Not applicable when work performance is to be measured qualitatively rather than quantitatively
7. High emphasis on individual performance rather than group performance