Certified Production & Operations Manager (POM) Practice Exam

The "Father of Scientific Management" is:

1. Henry Gantt

2. Elton Mayo

3. Frederick W. Taylor

4. W. Edwards Deming

The correct answer is: Frederick W. Taylor

Frederick W. Taylor is recognized as the "Father of Scientific Management" due to his pioneering work in the early 20th century, which laid the foundation for modern management practices. Taylor emphasized the systematic study of tasks and the optimization of work processes to increase efficiency and productivity. He introduced time studies and standardized work methods, asserting that a more scientific approach to management could lead to greater productivity and reduced waste. Taylor's principles focused on the belief that work could be optimized through careful measurement and observation, leading to performance improvements. His seminal work, "The Principles of Scientific Management," published in 1911, articulated these concepts and promoted the idea of breaking down complex tasks into simpler components that could be efficiently managed and executed. The other individuals listed, while influential in their own rights, contributed to different aspects of management theory and practices. Henry Gantt is known for the Gantt chart as a project management tool; Elton Mayo is famous for the Hawthorne Studies that highlighted the importance of social factors in the workplace; and W. Edwards Deming is noted for his work in quality management and continuous improvement methodologies. Each had significant impacts on their respective fields, but it is Taylor's contributions that are foundational to the concept of scientific management.