Primary Principles of scientific management as evolved by F.W. Taylor:

Frederick Winslow Taylor Taylor, the father of scientific management evolved the following primary principles of scientific management:

Science, not Rule of Thumb: Rule of thumb was the technique of pre-scientific management era. Taylor maintained that the rule of thumb should be replaced by scientific knowledge. While rule of thumb emphasizes mere estimation, scientific method denotes precision in determining any aspect of work. This should be done with the help of careful scientific investigation. Exactness of various aspects of work like day's fair work, standardization in work, differential price rate for payment etc. is the basic care of scientific management. Therefore, it is essential that these should be measured precisely and not on mere estimates.

Harmony not Discord: Taylor emphasized that harmony rather than discord should be obtained in group action. Harmony means that a group should work as a unit and contribute to the maximum. Within it there should be mutual give and take situation and proper understanding.

Co-operation not Individualism: Scientific management requires that parts of industrial body co-operate with each other, scientific management is based on mutual confidence, co-operation and goodwill. It requires a complete mental revolution on the part of both workers and management. Taylor suggested "Substitution of war for peace, hearty and brotherly co-operation for contention and strife, replacement of suspicious watchfulness with mutual confidence of becoming friends instead of enemies."

The Development of each man to his greatest efficiency and prosperity: In order to maximize production, all possible efforts are made to increase the efficiency of workers. Workers are selected according to the nature of work. It includes scientific training, scientific allotment of work, implementation of incentive wage plan above all, development of workers to the fullest extent for themselves and also for the companies highest prosperity. Scientific management leads to the development of each worker to his greatest efficiency and prosperity.