02-10-2012' Efficiency to the Extreme

Efficiency to the Extreme

Frank Gilbreth was a frantic about reducing inefficiency and using time-and-motion studies in all phases of life. However, there are numerous amusing anecdotes about his overzealous use of time-and-motion studies at home and on the job. As recounted by his two children in Cheaper by the Dozen, Frank's insistence upon efficiency at home backfired in several instances. E.g., to reduce the time it took him to shave in the mornings, he used two shaving brushes to lather his face and found that he could reduce shaving time by 17 seconds. He tried shaving with two razors and found that he could reduce the total shaving time by 44 seconds. But he abandoned this scheme because it took him two minutes to apply bandages to cuts. His children suggested that it was the two lost minutes that bothered him and not the cuts.

Adapted from my lecture notes credits to L.J Mullins.

Under the chapter on Evolution of management theory, I found my management style under this Scientific management of Classical approach. The reason why I loathe inefficiencies, extra time spent on unnecessary movements. This could be the answer to Cal's questions last night, 'why do you always want to do things so fast?' I think it's starting to irk him.

The frequency of him getting angry for causing me to be angry and rebuke back have increased tremendously as well. For one who has good temperament to fire up, I must be something.