Techniques of scientific management

The speed boss is responsible for ensuring that the prescribed speed of work is maintained. Since the machine is functioning properly and the issue is work pace, the speed boss is the best match.

The route clerk plans the route or sequence of work, while the gang boss helps ensure that tools and equipment are ready for workers to begin. Since the route is correct but the tools are not ready, the gang boss’s role has been neglected.

The disciplinarian is responsible for maintaining discipline and ensuring that workers follow rules. Repeated rule-breaking is therefore directly related to this role.

The governing concept is functional foremanship, Taylor’s arrangement in which planning and production are divided among specialised supervisors. The planning department includes the route clerk, instruction-card clerk, time-and-cost clerk, and disciplinarian. The production department includes the gang boss, speed boss, repair boss, and inspector. Therefore option A is correct because the route clerk belongs to the planning side and determines the route or sequence of operations. Option B is incorrect because the speed boss belongs to production. Option C reverses the time-and-cost clerk’s department, and option D places the disciplinarian on the wrong side. The classification of each specialist, rather than the title alone, determines the answer.

Under functional foremanship, the instruction card clerk belongs to the planning side and prepares instructions for the work. The inspector, gang boss and repair boss are on the production side, so option D is the incorrect match.

Simplification reduces unnecessary varieties of products or components. With fewer varieties to purchase and store, purchasing and storage become easier.

Standardisation establishes uniform standards for inputs such as raw materials. Requiring the same raw-material quality for every batch is an example of standardisation.

In Taylor’s differential piece-rate system, a worker who meets or exceeds the standard task receives the higher piece rate; a worker below standard receives the lower rate. Producing exactly 48 units meets the 48-unit standard, so the higher rate applies.

To find standard output, divide the total available time by the time needed per unit: \(420 \div 7 = 60\). Therefore, the standard output in 420 minutes is 60 units. Option 55 is not correct because 55 units would take only \(55 \times 7 = 385\) minutes. Exam tip: in time-study questions, use output = total available time ÷ time per unit.

The correct answer is Fatigue study. It examines the causes of worker fatigue, including workplace conditions such as lighting, and helps determine how to reduce fatigue.

The correct answer is Motion study. It examines the movements used to do a task so that unnecessary movements, such as needless wrist motions, can be removed.

The correct answer is Method study. It examines how work is done, including the sequence and route of materials, to find a more efficient way of carrying out the process.

The correct answer is Uniformity. Standardisation sets consistent requirements for products, such as their size and quality, so output is more consistent.

The correct answer is Simplification. Reducing the number of product varieties to those that are needed eliminates unnecessary variety and simplifies production.

The correct answer is Quality standards and inspection. Producing more than the target does not ensure acceptable products; standards and inspection help identify and control defects.

The correct answer is ₹456. Since 76 units is below the 80-unit standard, the low piece rate applies: 76 units × ₹6 per unit = ₹456.

Standard output is calculated by dividing total available time by the time required per unit: \(540 \div 9 = 60\). Therefore, the standard output is 60 units. An output of 54 units would result if each unit took 10 minutes. Exam tip: In time-study questions, divide total time by time per unit only after ensuring that both are in the same unit.

The correct answer is Fatigue study. It considers worker fatigue and helps determine suitable rest intervals, balancing recovery with productive working time.

The disciplinarian is responsible for maintaining discipline and dealing with workers’ failure to follow rules. The route clerk plans the route, while the instruction card clerk provides work instructions.

The instruction card clerk prepares written instructions explaining how a task should be done. So this role is relevant when the written work method is unclear.

The governing concept is functional foremanship and the specialised duties of production supervisors. The speed boss is responsible for ensuring that workers maintain the required pace and that the assigned work proceeds at the planned speed. In this situation the machine is functioning properly, so the problem is not mechanical. The stated difficulty is specifically that workers are operating slowly; therefore option C, speed boss, is correct. A repair boss deals with machine maintenance and breakdowns. A gang boss generally arranges and instructs workers, while an inspector checks quality. Those roles may support production, but they do not most directly address inadequate working speed. The clue is worker pace, not machine condition or product quality.

The repair boss is responsible for maintaining and repairing machines. A machine defect therefore falls within this specialist’s role.

Under functional foremanship, a worker may receive instructions from several specialists. This can cause confusion and contrasts with the unity of command principle, under which a person receives orders from one superior.

The direct answer is B: fatigue study matches rest and the causes of fatigue. Work study examines how a job can be performed efficiently. Time study measures the time required for a task and helps set a standard time. Motion study examines unnecessary movements so that needless effort can be removed. Fatigue study studies tiredness caused by work and determines suitable rest pauses. Method study compares ways of doing a job and selects the best method. Therefore option A is wrong because unnecessary movement belongs mainly to motion study, not time study. Option B is correct because it mentions both rest intervals and causes of fatigue. Option C is wrong because standard time belongs to time study, not motion study. Option D is wrong because wage rates are not the main focus of method study. Exam cue: time means time, motion means movements, fatigue means tiredness and rest, and method means the best way of doing work.

Time study analyses the time required to perform a task and helps determine the standard time; therefore, option C is correct. Standardisation brings uniformity in quality and methods, whereas simplification reduces unnecessary varieties. Rest intervals are associated with fatigue study, not motion study. Exam tip: Link “standard time” directly with time study.