Introduction to Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering is concerned with the design, improvement, and installation of integrated systems of people, materials, equipment, and energy. It draws on the mathematical, physical, and social sciences plus engineering analysis to specify, predict, and evaluate the results of such systems. What sets it apart from other engineering is its focus on the functions of production and distribution.

A short history, told through six pioneers

IE dates to the Industrial Revolution and matured through the work of six figures.

1. Adam Smith (1776)

In The Wealth of Nations he laid the foundation of scientific manufacturing with the concept of division of labour, skill development, time savings, and specialised machines. The shift it drove: before, one operator did all operations; after, one operator did one operation.

2. Frederick Taylor (1859–1915)

Generally credited as the father of industrial management and industrial engineering. A mechanical engineer, he investigated better work methods and built the first integrated theory of management, believing a scientific approach could improve labour efficiency. His five principles of scientific management:

1. Scientifically study each part of a task and develop the one best way
2. Select the best person for the job
3. Train, teach, and develop the worker
4. Provide financial incentives for following the method
5. Divide work and responsibility, managers plan, workers execute

3. Frank & Lillian Gilbreth (1868–1924 / 1878–1972)

A husband-and-wife team who advanced motion study and work simplification, emphasising the link between output and worker effort. Using motion-picture cameras, they developed micro-motion study, breaking work into fundamental elements to find the most economical motions. The key difference from Taylor: the Gilbreths divided work into smaller units (motion study) than Taylor's (time study).

4. Henry L. Gantt (1861–1919)

A Taylor contemporary who shaped management philosophy: incentive/premium task plans, greater consideration and training for workers, and recognition of corporate social responsibility. His signature contribution is the Gantt chart, a bar chart with time on the horizontal axis and functions on the vertical, still used everywhere.

5. Harrington Emerson (1853–1931)

A pioneer of IE, management, and organisational theory who developed his methods alongside Taylor, Gantt, and the Gilbreths and promoted scientific management to a mass audience. He contributed the systems-efficiency focus and 12 principles of efficiency (from clearly defined ideals and common sense to standardised operations and efficiency-reward).

6. Henry Ford (1863–1947)

Founder of the Ford Motor Company and father of the modern assembly line. His innovation cut car build time from over 700 minutes to 93 minutes, and he pioneered "welfare capitalism", mass production of inexpensive cars coupled with high wages ("Fordism").