Techniques of scientific management

Correct answer: A. The method-study result should also be assessed for fatigue and safety

A shorter route may improve efficiency, but it is not a good method if it increases injuries. The method should also be assessed for physical strain and safety before it is accepted.

Correct answer: A. A representative average worker was not selected

The fastest worker may not represent the pace of an average worker. Basing the standard on that worker alone can make the target unrealistic for ordinary workers.

Correct answer: C. Data on the cost of rework and rejected products

High output does not by itself show how much usable output is produced efficiently. Rework and rejection data reveal costs associated with defective output and should be considered in the analysis.

Correct answer: B. Time standard

The improved method changes the time needed per unit. The time standard should therefore be reviewed so that it reflects the new method; the change is a reduction of 6 minutes per unit.

Correct answer: B. Establish clear coordination and priority rules for instructions

Functional foremanship assigns different duties to specialist supervisors. Clear coordination and priority rules help prevent conflicting instructions without removing the specialisation.

Correct answer: C. The specialists’ roles have been interchanged

Under functional foremanship, the speed boss is responsible for ensuring the prescribed pace, while the inspector checks quality and workmanship. Reversing these duties creates role confusion.

Correct answer: D. Method study

Method study examines how a task is performed and how its steps can be arranged more efficiently. It is therefore relevant to investigating a queue caused by the work sequence at the loading point.

Correct answer: A. Variation in incoming supplies will make it harder to meet standards consistently

Internal standards are harder to meet consistently when the materials used in production vary. Uncontrolled variation in incoming supplies can therefore undermine consistent production quality.

Correct answer: A. Misalignment between the standardised tool and work instructions

Work instructions must match the tool actually in use. If the manual describes the old tool, workers may follow unsuitable directions and the new standard may not be implemented consistently.

Correct answer: C. Whether rejected units count in the wage calculation

When the policy does not define how rejected units are treated, the worker and employer may disagree about which units qualify for output-based pay. The policy should state this clearly.

Correct answer: B. Motion study

Motion study examines the movements used to perform a task and seeks to eliminate unnecessary ones. It is therefore suited to addressing fatigue caused by needless elbow movement, even when rest periods are adequate.

Correct answer: C. Worker fatigue and whether the target is sustainable

The signs of pain and absenteeism may indicate excessive fatigue. Management should assess fatigue and suitable rest intervals to ensure the target is sustainable before increasing it.

Correct answer: A. Review the output standard for the changed product mix

A changed product mix can alter the work required and the achievable output. The old standard may no longer be appropriate, so management should review it before using it for appraisal.

Correct answer: A. Unity of command

Fayol’s unity of command principle says that a subordinate should receive orders from one superior. Conflicting orders from several foremen illustrate the problem this principle is intended to prevent; Taylor’s functional foremanship is often contrasted with it.

Correct answer: A. Standardisation and fatigue study

Specifying a common gauge is standardisation: it sets a uniform tool or specification. Determining appropriate rest pauses is part of fatigue study, which considers how work and rest affect worker fatigue.

Correct answer: A. Simplification and standardisation

Reducing the number of variants is simplification. Setting uniform rejection criteria establishes consistent quality requirements, which is standardisation.

Correct answer: A. Method study output and training alignment gap

The direct answer is option A: a method-study output and training-alignment gap. Method study improves the way work is performed by finding a better sequence or route. But a new process cannot succeed if workers are still taught the old method. The correct chain is: the process map changes, the standard method is updated, training and instructions are revised, workers practise the new route, and supervisors check implementation. Option A correctly identifies the gap between the improved method and outdated training. Option B is wrong because wage and bank matters do not explain why workers follow the old route. Option C is wrong because inspection and colour have no logical connection with this implementation problem. Option D is wrong because fatigue and rent are unrelated to the mismatch between a process map and training. The problem is not the discovery of the new method; it is failure to communicate and teach it. Memory cue: new method requires new instructions and training.

Correct answer: A. Training cannot be reinforced through stable practice, and task fit may suffer

Training is more useful when workers have a chance to practise a task consistently. Very frequent rotation can prevent that practice from consolidating and may make it harder to match workers to suitable tasks.

Correct answer: A. The target is not supported by workers’ capability and method training

A demanding output standard is not enough on its own. Workers need training in the prescribed method so they can work toward the standard effectively and safely.

Correct answer: C. ₹2280

At the high rate, wages are calculated on the accepted units produced. Therefore, the wage is \(152 \times 15 = ₹2280\). An amount such as ₹2220 does not result from multiplying 152 units by ₹15 per unit. Exam tip: multiply the accepted output by the applicable rate first.

Correct answer: A. The route information has not been updated and communicated

Planning a better route will not help if workers are still given outdated route information. The route instructions need to be updated and communicated so the planned method is followed.

Correct answer: A. Method study

Method study examines the overall way a job or process is carried out to find a more efficient method. Here the issue is the sequence of process stages and repeated handling; motion study, by contrast, focuses on movements in performing work.

Correct answer: A. Method study

The correct answer is A, method study. It examines how a task is performed so that unnecessary steps or inefficient sequencing and workstation arrangements can be improved. That directly addresses a process bottleneck; simplification and standardisation instead concern reducing product variety and setting uniform standards.

Correct answer: C. 218 units

Accepted output is found by subtracting rejected units from total output: 240 - 22 = 218 units. Therefore, 218 units is correct. 240 units represents total output, not accepted output. Exam tip: identify total output and rejected units first, then subtract.

Correct answer: A. Inspector

The correct answer is option A, Inspector. First identify what is already known: the machine route and materials are correct, but the finished product is defective. The remaining issue is final-product quality, and checking the quality of completed work is the inspector’s responsibility. Option A is therefore correct. Option B, the gang boss, supervises workers and helps maintain discipline and performance, but is not the first specialist named for final quality inspection. Option C, the route clerk, plans or records the route and sequence through which work should pass; that route is already stated to be correct. Option D, the time and cost clerk, records time and cost information, not the physical quality of the finished article. Do not confuse finding a defect with correcting the production method: the inspector detects or reports the quality problem, while another manager or supervisor may later investigate and correct its cause. Exam cue: route means sequence, time and cost means records, gang means supervision, and inspector means quality checking.