Principle of Division of Work: Definition, Pros, and Cons

What will you do if a whole task is given to you and you even do not have expertise in this task? Probably you can not perform that task easily and effectively. The solution to this problem is a division of work.

What is the Principle of Division of Work?

The principle of division of work means segregating a whole or complex task into its different components so that the task can be done with ease and efficiency.

This is Henri Fayol’s one of the 14 principles of management. It focuses on dividing a complex task into the smallest parts possible so as to make it fit with employees’ knowledge, skills, and abilities.

It always emphasizes assigning an employee a specified task is always better than assigning him a whole task. This believes that when an employee is assigned only a particular task he would gain specialization in that task.

This principle focuses on gaining specialization in specified tasks. However, while assigning a specified task manager should assign complying with employees’ knowledge, experience, skills, and abilities only then greater productivity will be achieved through specialization. When such is done employees do the same task again and again and gain specialization which then results in greater productivity and reduced wastage of time and resources.

By doing so, a manager divides different tasks and assigns different employees, and strives to achieve aggregate results for all tasks.

Advantages of Division of Work:

• Work Efficiency – This principle aims to increase the work efficiency of employees. By doing the same task again and again employees will master the specific task.
• Ease in Working – Doing the same tasks repeatedly provides easiness to employees.
• Increase Accuracy – The task that best fits with employees’ interests and abilities also reduces mistakes in doing.
• Productivity – According to this Fayol’s principle, employees are only focused on specific tasks which allows them to complete them more quickly and successfully with lower wastage of time and resources.
• Efficient Allocation – It also ensures a healthy allocation of materials and employees among different jobs.

Disadvantages of Division of Work:

• Increases in Boredom – Doing the same task again and again & again and again also increases boredom.
• Interdependent – Every employee is assigned only a single task to complete a whole task they are dependent on each other.
• Lack of the Spirit of Collective Responsibility – There also seems no team works.

Results of Avoiding this Principle:

• Work specialization can not be achieved.
• There might be a waste of time and resources.
• Conflicts may arise.
• Works can not be done in time.
• Works accuracy may be lowered.

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