Navrang and the Principles of Scientific Management

Objective:The Objective of this blog is to learn the principles of Scientific management by carrying out a task on a detachable Rubik's cube- NAVARANG

This was one of the most interesting class by Dr. Mandi, he explained to us some principles of scientific management by following a step by step approach.

The class started with Dr Mandi presenting before us some blocks,which were required to be joined together to form a cube similar to Rubik's cube. There were certain conditions for making this cube:

• There were 27 blocks in all, they were to be arranged in form of a cube of 3*3*3 fashion
• Each face of the cube should contain 9 different colours, i.e. none should be repeated and hence the name 'NAVARANG' which in hindi means 'Nine different Colours'.

Multiple students were called upon, but the result was same, they were not able to achieve the Goal!It was then Dr Mandi took over and explained to us that in order to achieve any goal, we must have a purpose and we should carry out the tasks to achieve the purpose in an arranged form. he reminded us one of the four statement of Frederick theory of scientific management:i.e. we shoulld use a well defined scientific method to carry out any job and we should figure out a way which gives us maximum utilization and efficiency.With this, Dr. Mandi gave us an algorithm to solve this puzzle, he demonstrated the solution of this puzzle by first segregating the blocks in 3 each(each having same colour). Thus total nine groups of colours were formed. He then gave us a well defined way of arranging the cubes which can be learnt by watching the below mentioned video:

To carry out this exercise, Dr. Mandi called out for two volunteers which were asked to carry out the above mentioned task. With no definite plan, both students started making the cube, but even after multiple trials they were not able to make cube containing 9 different colours on every face. The result was a disaster.

"Replace working by "rule of thumb," or simple habit and common sense, and instead use the scientific method to study work and determine the most efficient way to perform specific tasks."

After a demonstration by himself, he called upon some volunteers to perform the task again.

This time, with a well defined scientific method, the students were able to build navarang and that too with speed and accuracy.
Thus, we got a live case study of Taylors scientific management principles, thanks to Dr. Mandi and his new experiment with cube called 'Navarang'.