Frank Gilbreth and his wife Lillian worked as a team to contribute to the field of scientific management in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With a family of 12 children, Frank and Lillian Gilbreth practiced their theories of time and motion management in their everyday lives.

Growing out of the industrial revolution and unionization of labor, Gilbreth management theory and other scientific management theories are highly focused on efficiency. While standardized efficiency models have become less popular in today's workplace, the time and motion studies developed by Frank Gilbert continue to offer opportunities for application when evaluating work processes.

Use the following steps for making the most of the management theory of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth in today's work environment:

1. Get to know the writings of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their contributions to theory.
2. Use "therbligs," the unit of activity in the Gilbreths' theory, to subdivide tasks.
3. Draw inspiration from Lillian Gilbreth, a famous woman in science.

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Understand Lillian and Frank Gilbreth management theory in historical and current context

Lillian and Frank Gilbreth management theory is one of the historic theories contributing to the formation of scientific management philosophies. These industrialization philosophies characterized management within an efficiency model and attempted to find the best, most efficient way of completing a task. Understanding the context of the Gilbreths' theory is important for using their ideas today.

I recommend: Contextualize the Gilbreths' theory within scientific management by reading a synopsis of historical management theories from Accel. Access bibliographic information about written works on Gilbreth theory by or about the Gilbreths from The University of Western Ontario.

Apply Gilbreth theory using the 'therblig' to subdivide your tasks

A fundamental component of Gilbreth theory is the 'therblig,' a unit invented by the Gilbreths to describe a discrete unit of activity. Some examples of actions that the Gilbreths included were planning, positioning, assembling and disassembling. You can use these units or come up with your own units to analyze how many activities make up a certain task and eliminate unnecessary steps.

I recommend: Learn about therbligs as an essential aspect of Gilbreth management theory from Horology-Stuff. Access a complete chart with explanations of the 15 original therbligs developed by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth at The Gilbreth Network and adapt them to the types of tasks you do in your office, such as reading and responding to emails or memos.

Celebrate Lillian Gilbreth's contributions to Gilbreth theory

One of the best uses of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth management theory in today's workplace is teaching men and women about Lillian Gilbreth's unique role in the development of the Gilbreths' management theory. By teaching information about Lillian Gilbreth and her contributions to science and business, you can ensure that her influence and importance are reinterpreted in today's contexts.

I recommend: Get historical information about Lillian Gilbreth from The Providence Journal and San Diego Supercomputer Center, both of which advocate teaching about Lillian's contributions to Gilbreth theory and to science in general. Lillian Gilbreth is considered the "Mother of Management," so share this biographical information about her with your company's managers and with women interested in leadership roles.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Because the theories the Gilbreths developed pertain to an industrialized labor context, rather than to the information-age tasks of the contemporary workplace, it is unlikely that you will choose to adopt the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth management system in its entirety. You can, however, use some of their ideas in your own context by creatively interpreting the concepts of time and motion management.

Frank and Lillian Gilbreth were a husband-and-wife team who worked as engineers in the early part of the 20th century. Lillian carried on this work after the death of Frank in 1924. Their main focus was on the fields of motion study and time study, combined with an interest on the psychology of efficiency and work.

The Gilbreth theory held that there was a “one best way” to do any task. Efficiency, according to the Gilbreth business management theory, could therefore be improved by finding this “one best way” and replicating it throughout the manufacturing process. The Gilbreths used new technologies such as film to break motions down into incremental parts, which they called “therbligs.” By reducing the number of “therbligs” for any task, one could increase the efficiency of the worker.

The management theory of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth can be summed up by the following:

1. Reduce the number of motions in a task to increase efficiency.

2. Focus on the incremental study of motions and time to understand an entire task.

3. The goal of increased efficiency is both increased profit and greater worker satisfaction.

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Look into the technical aspects of the Lillian and Frank Gilbreth management theory

As famous early engineers and experts in the field of motion study, the Gilbreths have several websites devoted to them. Most of these websites give a good overview of the Gilbreth management theory. The technical details of the Gilbreth business management theory are the key to the understanding and implementation of this theory in work situations. By familiarizing yourself with this theory, you can take advantage of its benefits.

I recommend: A biography of Lillian, with some technical details about her work, is available from the San Diego Supercomputer Center. A brief biography and look at the Lillian and Frank Gilbreth management theory is provided by Accel-Team. One major aspect of the Gilbreth theory, the concept of therbligs, is explained in an article on the Gilbreth Network. The Internet Archive offers an edited version of the Gilbreths’ original films of their motion study techniques.

Get details on the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth management system from books and articles

Throughout their lifetimes, Lillian and Frank Gilbreth published a large number of articles and books about the Gilbreth theory.

I recommend: The Gilbreth Network gives a bibliography of articles and books by Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. The Quest is an Internet-based newsletter dedicated to the advancement of the Gilbreth management theories. Purdue University gives a listing of all papers and articles by the Gilbreths in their collection.

Check out ways to implement the Gilbreth theory in a work environment

The Gilbreth management theory is rarely applied directly in today's workplace. However, certain aspects of the theory, especially time-study and motion-study, can be implemented in a variety of workplace situations. One of the major implementations of the Gilbreth theory is in methods-time management (MTM), which is widely used in engineering.

I recommend: The International MTM Directorate offers MTM training and product work using time and motion studies in the field of industrial engineering. Associated Content gives an article that details the same basic, practical uses of motion-study. EMJ Online has an article on accident and emergency consultants, in which their efficiency is determined by the use of time-study.

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• •  Keep in mind that many aspects of the Gilbreth management theory have been heavily modified over the past decades and may be mentioned under other names in documents.

If you read the book "Cheaper by the Dozen" or saw the movie of the same name, then you've had an introduction to the Frank Gilbreth management theory. Frank and Lillian Gilbreth developed the idea of motion studies, or the economy of motion to improve productivity. The Gilbreths' theory posits that reducing the number of motions involved in a specific act will make it more efficient. Gilbreth theory also suggests that managers continuously look for ways to improve the workplace.

Although Frank and Lillian Gilbreth developed Gilbreth business management theory almost a century ago and many companies still use the Gilbreths' theory of management, you won't find a formal "Management Theory of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth Education and Training" course at any university or training school. To learn about the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth management theory, you can take any combination of these three training avenues:

1. Research the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth management system on commercial websites

2. Find scholarly research on Gilbreth business management theory

3. Join associations that discuss and preserve the Gilbreth theory

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Learn what you can about the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth management system on commercial websites

Start your management theory of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth education and training with a look at the general information about Gilbreth theory available on the Internet. Simple searches for 'Gilbreth theory' and 'Frank Gilbreth management theory' will yield a wealth of results, as will looking at some of the links provided below.

I recommend: The Accel-Team offers a brief but comprehensive overview of Gilbreth business management theory. The Internet Archive lets you view the original films of Frank Gilbreth. Gilbreth used these films to further his motion study work.

Look for scholarly research on the Gilbreths' theory on management

While a general search on the Internet reveals a host of free information about Gilbreth theory, scholarly websites often offer more meaty information about Gilbreth theory. You can access some of these records on the web, but you'll need to create an account for some of the databases and/or pay for access.

I recommend: The library at Purdue University maintains Frank and Lillian Gilbreth's papers in its Special Collections department. Sage Journals from Southern Management Association also has some scholarly publications about Gilbreth theory.

Get management theory of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth education and training at like-minded groups

If you want to discuss Gilbreth theory and see how professionals have modified the Frank and Lillian Gilbreth management system over time, then find groups of like-minded researchers and professionals who have a web presence. These websites will help you learn how to incorporate the Gilbreths' theory on management into your business.

I recommend: Subscribe to The Gilbreth Network and take advantage of its database of articles, discussion forums and bulletin boards. The International MTM Directorate offers opportunities to learn more about motion and time studies in their present incarnation.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Buy the book 'Cheaper by the Dozen' and read it. Although it talks about Frank and Lillian Gilbreth's private life with their family of 12 children, the book--written by three of the Gilbreth children--gives amusing insight into how the Gilbreth family incorporated the Gilbreths' theory of management and motion studies into family life. In an unusual way, this book offers a comprehensive introduction to management theory of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth education and training.

There are very few leaders in the world of sociology and work place management studies that made contributions together like Frank and Lillian Gilbreth. Through their development of Motion Studies, a spin on Frederick Taylor's Time Studies, the business-like management of their 12 children, and their contributions to the world of engineering, the Gilbreth's spent their lives trying to make things easier for the common man.

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Motion studies

The Gilbreths were most successful in the development of motion studies, as opposed to time studies. This development studies the physical motions necessary for completing a task and how the elements and work environment affect motions.

I recommend: Learn more about the Gilbreth's lives and careers, including the development of motion studies, from an article available on Access My Library. View the films that Frank Gilbreth put together to depict their motion studies analysis on Internet Archive.

Therbligs

Look closely and you will notice that 'therblig' is Gilbreth spelled backwards. This is the term that Frank and Lillian Gilbreth coined for the basic units of measurement for motion and activity. The Gilbreth system originally consisted of 15 therbligs, but now there are 18.

I recommend: Visit Horology-Stuff and The Gilbreth Network for more information on therbligs.

Field System

Field System is the first book written by Frank Gilbreth, published in 1908. The first of its kind, Field Study is a compilation of interviews and day-in-the-life scenarios for common industrial workers, providing an insight for how employees get things done in the workforce.

I recommend: Access BookRags for more details about Field System and the Gilbreths.

Standardization

Frank Gilbreth believed in the standardization of the workforce. As a bricklayer, Gilbreth noticed there was no defined system for how the employees carried out the job. Everyone did things differently, which resulted in inconsistent work and time management. Frank Gilbreth sought to change that.

I recommend: Accel Team mentions Frank's desire for standardization in the work place.

Cheaper by the Dozen

Cheaper by the Dozen is a book written by Frank Gilbreth, Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey depicting the life of his parents and their 12 children. While this famous book may not seem significant to Frank and Lillian Gilbreth's management theories, if you read the book it reveals that the Gilbreth's readily applied their management theories to the function of their family life as well, with a tendency to treat their 12 children more as a workforce in order to prevent chaos.

I recommend: Webster University's section on Women's Intellectual Contributions to the Study of Mind and Society offers a biography of Lillian Gilbreth that discusses how the Gilbreth household was more like a business.

Ergonomics

Lillian Gilbreth pioneered ergonomics as part of her contribution to motion studies. Mrs. Gilbreth believed that part of producing successful employees was fitting the workplace to their size and capabilities. Among her many accomplishments in this field, Lillian worked to improve kitchen designs as an industrial engineer for General Electric.

I recommend: On About.com, learn about Lillian Gilbreth's study of the benefits of ergonomics.