-
-
James Watt's steam engine allowed factories to emerge, enabling location flexibility, cheaper power sources, and economies of scale (mass production). -
Smith presented labor division and capitalism, promoting innovation and the foundation of factory systems and cost control (to reduce waste and increase productivity). -
They developed a system where parts were mass-produced and used in various products, reducing specialized skills.
-
Babbage studied the impact of task division, learning time, and switching between tasks. He proposed to pay the workers based on their skilled operations.
-
He improved efficiency by breaking work into smaller tasks and helped develop scientific management, which included planning work and training workers. -
Established the first academic programs in Industrial Engineering at Pennsylvania State and Syracuse University respectively. -
Promoted scientific management through the selection and training of employees and dispatching (shop floor control).
-
They studied work motions and time, to introduce the concept of ergonomics and efficient job design which will become crucial in the 1920s and 1930s.
-
Advocated fair compensation for workers who helped increase gains thanks to productivity and called for professionals interested in problems of manufacturing and management. -
Meeting where the contributions of individual were seen, specifically in economical aspects and responsibilities.
-
Created a visual tool for task scheduling (Gantt Chart), incentive plans, and proper worker training. -
(Businesses adopted new production methods in order to improve efficiency and worker performance, yet they finally went through massive problems.)
-
Western Electric studies showed that attention to workers and collaboration, improved productivity.
-
Promoted motion study and good work methods as keys to productivity improvement. -
Published his book “Economic Control of the Quality of Manufactured Product” demonstrating that sampling is an effective tool for controlling production quality. -
Published the book “Common sense applied to time and motion study” where he claimed that “people who know any job best, are the workers doing that job”. -
-
Industrial Engineering methods were crucial for organizing military operations and improving production during war, creating new techniques and devices.
-
Yet it still has no centralized focus.
-
The American Institute of Industrial Engineers was created to support the discipline. -
IE began relying on mathematical models for decision-making in production and operations, making it competitive over other engineerings.
-
-
-
Linear programming, queuing theory, and simulation entered IE training and practice.
-
Industrial engineers began focusing more on system design and indirect roles than on shop floor labor.
-
Industrial engineers began leading manufacturing/service integration and software/hardware development.
-
Isolated computer systems created inefficiencies due to lack of connectivity between automated areas.
-
Reassessment, self-study, and growth.
-
While industrial engineers reflected poor results, the Japanese industry was successful, emphasizing problem-solving over tool use.
-
Engineers began shaping company strategy and long-term planning beyond just operations.
-
Improved system coordination.
-
The line between industries faded: The hybrid systems and technology environments where the new place for industrial engineers.
-
Waste-free processes, submicron and nanoscale manufacturing, biotechnology and collaboration software systems represent opportunities for industrial engineers in anticipation of future development.