Functional Foremanship and its Basis

Functional foremanship is a system of management that was developed by F.W. Taylor, a renowned management theorist. It involves the appointment of specialized supervisors or foremen who are responsible for specific aspects of the production process. The basis of functional foremanship is the principle of division of work.

Principle of Division of Work

The principle of division of work is based on the idea that work can be divided into smaller, more manageable tasks that can be performed by different individuals or groups. This allows for specialization and increased efficiency in the production process. In functional foremanship, the principle of division of work is applied to the management structure.

Roles of Functional Foremen

Under functional foremanship, there are two types of foremen: production foremen and staff foremen. Production foremen are responsible for the actual production process. They oversee the workers who are directly involved in production activities. Staff foremen, on the other hand, are responsible for the support functions of the production process. They oversee the workers who provide support services such as maintenance, quality control, and training.

Advantages of Functional Foremanship

The advantages of functional foremanship include:

1. Increased efficiency: By dividing the production process into smaller tasks and assigning specialized foremen to oversee each task, functional foremanship increases efficiency.

2. Specialization: Functional foremanship allows for specialization in the production process, which can lead to increased productivity and quality.

3. Clear roles and responsibilities: By assigning specific roles and responsibilities to each foreman, functional foremanship ensures that everyone knows what is expected of them.

Conclusion

In conclusion, functional foremanship is a management system based on the principle of division of work. It involves the appointment of specialized foremen who are responsible for specific aspects of the production process. Functional foremanship has several advantages, including increased efficiency, specialization, and clear roles and responsibilities.