Methods of Industrial Engineering - Prof. Hugo Diemer

HUGO DIEMER 

FACTORY ORGANIZATION AND ADMINISTRATION

Third Edition 

McGRAW-HILL BOOK COMPANY, Inc. 

NEW YORK: 370 SEVENTH AVENUE 

1921  

https://archive.org/details/factoryorganiza00diemgoog

See page 11. Point 15. 

In the first edition of this book the writer outlined the methods of the industrial engineer as follows: 

He considers a manufacturing establishment just as one would an intricate machine. He analyzes each process into its ultimate, simple elements, and compares each of these simplest steps or processes with an ideal or perfect condition. He then makes all due allowances for rational and practical conditions and establishes an attainable commercial standard for every step. The next process is that of attaining continuously this standard, involving both quality and quantity, and the inter- locking or assembling of all of these prime elements into a well- arranged, well-built, smooth-running machine. It is quite evident, that work of this character involves technical knowledge and ability in science and pure engineering, which do not enter perception of money values. His work will not be good engineering unless he uses good business judgment. He must be able to select those mechanical devices and perfect such organization as will best suit present needs and secure prompt returns in profit. He must have sufficiently good business sense to appreciate the ratio between investment and income. He must be in close enough touch with the financial management to be able to impress upon them the necessity of providing sinking funds to provide for the more perfect installations and organizations which future demands of a more educated and enlightened public will necessitate. 

The industrial engineer to-day must be as competent to give good business advice to his corporation as is the skilled corpora- tion attorney. Upon his sound judgment and good advice depend very frequently the making or losing of large fortunes. 

The recognition of industrial engineering as a distinct field of engineering has become an established and permanent fact as evidenced by such strong and prominent organizations as the Society of Industrial Engineers and the Taylor Society. The latter was originally organized imder the name of the Society to Promote the Science of Management but changed its name in honor of Dr. Frederick W. Taylor after his death. Still further recognition of industrial engineering as a distinct field of engineer- ing is evidenced by the increasing number of colleges and univer- sities establishing departments of industrial engineering and distinct courses in industrial engineering. These courses have been designated in some colleges as courses in engineering ad- ministration and involve a great deal more than one or two series of lectures on industrial management. They usually cover separate classes in charge of specialist professors teaching such subjects as cost accounting, time study, functional control in the shop, personnel management, and factory layout and equipment. 

Taylor's Definition of the Methods of Industrial Management.

Fred W, Taylor summarizes the methods of industrial management as follows: 

(1) The Establishment into Scientific Form of all of the Working Data and Rule of Thumb Knowledge Relating to a Given Industry, — 

As an example of the practical application of this method we have Mr. Taylor's own exhaustive treatise on " The Art of Cutting Metals/' 

(2) The Scientific Study of the Workers. — To illustrate what sort of investigation this involves we may again refer to Mr. Taylor's investigations as to the physical and temperamental qualifications of men best adapted to such work as shoveling iron ore, carrying pig iron, etc. 

(3) Bringing the Science, to the Worker, — This is accomplished through the medium of functional f oremanship. Each functional foreman is an expert teacher in his speciality. 

(4) The Assumption by the Management Itself of Its Due Share in the Above-mentioned Three Divisions. 

REFERENCES 

Cheyney: "Industrial and Social History of England," Chapters II-IX. 

Coman: "Industrial History of the United States," Chapters II-IX. 

Day: "History of Commerce," Part IV. 

Weight: "Industrial Evolution of the United States," Parts I, II and IV. 

Going: "Principles of Industrial Engineering," Chapters I and II. 

Transactions A. S. M. E., 1912. Report of Committee on Present State 

of Industrial Management: No. 1378, pp. 1131-1229. 

Tuck School Conference on Scientific Management: pp. 28-35.