Question

Sanchit, after completing his entrepreneurship course from Sweden returned to India and started a coffee shop ‘AromaCoffeeCan’ in a famous mall in New Delhi. The speciality of the coffee shop was the special aroma of coffee and a wide variety of flavours to choose from. Somehow, the business was neither profitable nor popular. Sanchit was keen to find out the reason. He appointed Sandhya, an MBA from a reputed college, as a Manager to find out the causes for the same.

Sandhya took feedback from the clients and found out that though they loved the special unique aroma of coffee but were not happy with the long waiting time being taken to process the order. She analysed and found out that there were many unnecessary obstructions in between which could be eliminated. She fixed a standard time for processing the order. She also realised that there were some flavours whose demand was not enough. So, she also decided to stop the sale of such flavours. As a result with in a short period Sandhya was able to attract the customers.

Identify and explain any two techniques of scientific management used by Sandhya to solve the problem.

Answer 1

Following are the techniques of scientific management used by Sandhya : 

1. Time study – Time study is a work measurement technique which is designed to determine the time taken by a qualified worker to carry out a specified task under specified conditions at a defined rate of working. The object of time study is to determine the number of workers to be employed and to frame suitable incentive schemes. The method of time study depends upon volume and frequency of the task, the cycle time of the operation and time measurement costs. 

2. Motion study – Motion study is a technique which involves close observation of the movements of the body and limbs required to perform a job. The purpose of motion study is to eliminate useless motions and determine the best way of doing a job in less time. Motion study divides the motions into productive and unproductive motions. Motion studies may be made by using stopwatches, symbols or colours. 

3. Simplication of work – It is a technique to eliminate superflous varieties, sizes and dimensions of products. It leads to reduced inventories, fuller utilisation of equipment and increased turnover to reduce costs.