Periodic Fable

Frederick Taylor wrote The Principles of Scientific Management in 1911. His principles became known as Taylorism. He was the original proponent of the time-and-motion study, and setting up clear workflow processes. This was developed into a process of essentially getting workers to function like a machine. His principles included:

• Develop a “science” for every job, including rules motion, standardized work implements, and proper working conditions.
• Carefully select workers with the right abilities for the job.
• Carefully train these workers to do the job, and give them proper incentives to cooperate with the job science.
• Support these workers by planning their work and by smoothing the way as they go about their jobs.

Now observers are reporting on an adaptation of these principles in “Digital Taylorism”, which aims to make workers more like computers, with tasks timed down to the nanosecond.

Digital technologies monitor keystrokes, emails, workplaces are under surveillance with an under-reported assault on privacy. Continuous monitoring and an emphasis on results takes all control away from the employee.

By digitising intellectual work practices, companies aim to get a “working knowledge” that is independent of the people involved. Individuals’ working knowledge related to their jobs may end up no longer valued if processes are valued more than expertise.

So what’s wrong with this scenario?  It can be deskilling and dehumanising. Employees who feel they are cogs in a machine will not be an engaged and contented workforce, and a process that suits one group or individual may not be the most efficient way for another to work. So it’s inflexible. And in a fast-changing situation like that faced by most businesses today, that’s the last thing management needs.

A talented and engaged workforce with the ability to solve problems and adapt, draw on, share and develop expertise and knowledge, will equip a company far better to survive the downturn. Flexible and agile workers with a variety of experience and the skills to apply knowledge and approaches appropriately are the kind of people who are needed, as well as a selection of training and professional development opportunities to leverage their potential.

Originally published at reachfurther.com