The instruction card contains a statement of the wage or bonus that will be earned for the complete performance of the task set therein, thus furnishing an incentive at the time that the work is done.
Standard Division of Instruction Card Necessary. — There are many reasons for dividing an instruction card in the present standard way, namely, —
(a) to reduce the amount of time study observation necessary to be taken,
(b) to reduce the difficulties of synthesizing the time studied element,
(c) to locate quickly just where the worker needs help and instruction to enable him to achieve his task,
(d) to keep up the interest of the worker by having short time elements with which to measure his relative ability,
(e) to present the subject-matter of instruction in such natural subdivisions that resting places are automatically provided that allow the mind to recover from its absorption of each subdivision. This provides definite stopping places between co-related units of instruction holding the attention as a complete unit against distraction, and a complete resting place between subdivisions that permits the mind to relax and wander without losing complete grasp of each unit as a whole.
Detailed Instruction Educative. — The greater the perfection of the detail of the instruction card, the greater the educative value of this plan of management. The educative value of the instruction card will be discussed at length under Teaching.
Those inexperienced in Scientific Management have complained that the detail of Instruction Cards and other parts of Scientific Management is tiresome. Dr. Taylor has answered such objectors in Discussions, and also in his own directions for planning the Instruction Card, which are to be found in "Shop Management."