Issue No. 114 模擬

"The most effective way for managers to assign works is to divide complex tasks into their simpler component parts. This way, each worker completes a small portion of the task but contributes to the whole."


It is sometimes difficult to discuss people's views about whether the most effective way for managers to assign work is to divide complex tasks into their simpler component parts, because it is such a multifaceted question. While the first reaction of some people may be to disagree with this statement, I feel it is worthy of deeper consideration. In my opinion, there are three reasons to agree with this statement.
First of all, breaking a complex task down into its parts and assigning each part to a certain worker (or group of workers) takes advantage of the fact that different people have different skills. For instance, the complex task of putting up a high-rise building might require as many as hundred sets of skills, or trades such as electricians, pipe fitters, insulators, and crane operators. One part of the job would call for qualifications in electrical work, still another in crane operating, and so forth.
In addition, by providing a complex task into its component parts, the very job of overseeing this task becomes that much more manageable. For example, in delegating different parts of the job to different groups of works, it becomes that much easier for the supervisor to schedule and monitor the output of each group. If one part of the job is behind schedule, the supervisor will know which group to single out as being responsible for the delay. Beside, of another part is ahead of schedule, then he will know which group to praise. Indeed, in delegating different portion of the job to those in charge of the various trades, the supervisor dose not have to get bogged down with trying to "micro-manage" the details of the task.
Finally, when a task is broken down into its parts and each part is assigned to a certain worker (or group of workers), it is easier to complete the job on time. Consider, again, the construction of a high-rise building, and how long it would take if the electrical work could not begin until the plumbing was completed, and the heating ducts could not be installed until the electrical work was completed. Consider, by contrast, how much faster it would be when the wiring, plumbing, and heating ducts could be installed at more or less the same time by the different trade workers. It is when a complex task is broken down into clearly distinctive parts that it becomes possible to plan for having different trade workers working on different parts of the job at the same time.
In summary, for the reasons and example just cited, I firmly believe that the most effective way to manage a complex task is to divide it into its component parts. The approach makes the most of the fact that different people have different skills. Furthermore, it also makes the task of managing much easier. Finally, this approach to a complex task shortens the time it takes to complete the task.


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