Question:medium

'Even a small production activity like loading pigs of iron into boxcars can be scientifically planned and managed. This can result in tremendous saving of human energy as well as wastage of time and materials.' Identify the principle of scientific management advocated in the aforesaid statement.

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Whenever you see phrases like "one best way," "scientific analysis of work," or examples of optimizing physical tasks, the principle being highlighted is almost always Science, not rule of thumb.
Updated On: May 30, 2026
  • Cooperation, not individualism
  • Harmony, not discord
  • Science, not rule of thumb
  • Development of each and every person to his or her greatest efficiency and prosperity
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The Correct Option is C

Solution and Explanation

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
F.W. Taylor’s principle of "Science, not Rule of Thumb" aims to replace traditional, hit-or-miss methods with logical, data-driven processes.
A "Rule of Thumb" is a decision based on intuition or past habit, which often leads to inefficiency.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The statement mentions that even "small" activities (like loading iron) should be "scientifically planned."
This is a direct reference to Taylor’s famous "Pig Iron" experiment.
By applying scientific analysis—studying physical movements, calculating rest times, and choosing the best tools—Taylor was able to dramatically increase productivity for a simple manual task.
The core idea here is that there is "one best way" to perform any task, and that way can only be found through scientific study, not by letting every worker do it their own way (rule of thumb).
This principle focuses on the method of work to eliminate waste and save energy.
- Harmony, not discord focuses on the relationship between groups.
- Cooperation, not individualism focuses on the team spirit.
- Science, not rule of thumb focuses on the scientific planning of the task itself.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The emphasis on scientific planning to eliminate waste makes "Science, not rule of thumb" the correct principle. Option (C) is the answer.
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