The aim of which technique given by F.W. Taylor is to reduce a given line or a product to fixed types, sizes and characteristics?

Standardisation of work

The correct answer is Option (3) → Standardisation of work.

The aim of  'Standardisation of work' technique given by F.W. Taylor is to reduce a given line or a product to fixed types, sizes and characteristics.

Standardisation of work - Standardisation refers to the process of setting standards for every business activity; it can be standardisation of process, raw material, time, product, machinery, methods or working conditions. These standards are the benchmarks, which must be adhered to during production. The objectives of standardisation are:
(i) To reduce a given line or product to fixed types, sizes and characteristics.
(ii) To establish interchange ability of manufactured parts and products.
(iii) To establish standards of excellence and quality in materials.
(iv) To establish standards of performance of men and machines.

* Functional Foremanship- In the factory system, the foreman represents the managerial figure with whom the workers are in face-to-face contact on a daily basis. Foreman is the lowest ranking manager and the highest ranking worker. He is the pivot around whom revolves the entire production, planning, implementation and control. Thus, Taylor concentrated on improving the performance of this role in the factory set-up. In fact, he identified a list of qualities of a good foreman/supervisor and found that no single person could fit them all. This prompted him to suggest functional foremanship through eight persons. Taylor advocated separation of planning and execution functions. This concept was extended to the lowest level of the shop floor.

* METHOD STUDY- The objective of method study is to find out one best way of doing the job. There are various methods of doing the job. To determine the best way there are several parameters. Right from procurement of raw materials till the final product is delivered to the customer every activity is part of the method study.

* TIME STUDY- It determines the standard time taken to perform a well-defined job. Time-measuring devices are used for each element of task. The standard time is fixed for the whole of the task by taking several readings. The method of time study will depend upon volume and frequency of the task, the cycle time of the operation and time measurement costs. The objective of time study is to determine the number of workers to be employed; frame suitable incentive schemes and determine labour costs.