1. The One Best Way Frank and Lillian Gilbreth
Troy D. Bethards

2. Who Influenced the Gilbreths?
Fredrick Taylor
E.J. Marey
Adam Smith
Charles Babbage

3. What Influenced the Gilbreths?
Electric availability
Advancements in manufacturing technology

4. Manufacturing Technology
Changed the following:
Managements presence
Pay issues
Working conditions
Labor problems

5. Gilbreths’ Contributions to Management Theory
Drifting process
Motion study
“Analyzing an activity into its smallest possible elements, and from the results synthesizing a method of performing the activity that shall be more efficient.”
--Frank Gilbreth

6. Gilbreths’ Study of Motion
Doctors
Disabled persons
Baseball players
Golfers
Brick layers
Homemakers

7. Gilbreths’ Main Goals in Working with Companies
Increase efficiency by removing unnecessary movements
Reduce fatigue for employees

8. Gilbreths’ Contributions to Management
Employer and employee must cooperate in the work process for benefits to occur.

9. Positions Employees Occupy in the Organization
The job he had – the teacher
The job he has – the teacher & learner
The job he will have – the learner

10. Gilbreths’ Contributions to Management Theory
Frank and Lillian integrated science into management by:
Proper planning
Gathering
Arranging
Systematizing information

11. Gilbreths’ Methods of Data Collection
Pictures
Motion pictures
Cyclographs
Chronocyclographs

12. Gilbeths’ Methods of Analyzing Data
Therbligs
System developed to analyze the basic movements of the body.
Simo chart (Simultaneous motion chart)

13. Therblig Groupings Effective classifications Physical basic divisions
Reach
Move
Grasp
Release
Preposition

14. Therblig Groupings Effective classifications Objective Basic Divisions
Use
Assemble
Disassemble

15. Therblig Groupings Ineffective classifications
Mental or semimental basic divisions
Search
Select
Position
Inspect
Plan

16. Therblig Groupings Ineffective classifications Delay Unavoidable delay
Rest to overcome fatigue
Hold

17. Gilbreths’ Contribution to Management Theory
Items to determine the “one best way”
Motion study
Fatigue study
Skill study
Time study

18. Gilbreths’ Contributions to Management Theory
Skill study – The best way of acquiring or transferring a skill.

19. Gilbreths’ Contributions to Management Theory
Three steps to improving the teaching process
Determine the most effective way to do the work
In the shortest time possible, convey the best way to do a task
Use a presentation method that will be remembered the longest

20. Criticisms of Gilbreths’ Work
Skill is required for some therblig movements
Too many variables to establish one best way
Therbligs do not fully explain the movement

21. Criticisms of Gilbreths’ Work
Not necessarily good to standardize everything
Consider human element in work
Motion study can be frustrating