But the most important part of the synthesist’s work is the actual elimination of elements which are useless, and the combination of the remaining elements in such a way, or sequence, or schedule, that a far better method than the one analyzed will result.

We may take an example from Bricklaying.[5] In “Stringing Mortar Method, on the Filling Tiers before the Days of the Pack-on-the-Wall-Method”—­the division, which was into operations only, showed eighteen operations and eighteen motions for every brick that was laid.  Study and synthesis of these elements resulted in a method that required only 1 3/4 motions to lay a brick.  Over half the original motions were found to be useless, hence entirely omitted.  In several other cases it was found possible to make one motion do work for two or four brick, with the same, or less, fatigue to the worker.

RESULT IS THE BASIS FOR THE TASK.—­The result of synthesis is the basis for the task,—­it becomes the standard that shows what has actually been done, and what can be expected to be repeated.  It is important to note the relation between the task and synthesis.  When it becomes generally understood that the “Task,” under Scientific Management is neither an ideal which exists simply in the imagination, nor an impossibly high estimate of what can be expected,—­but is actually the sum of observed and timed operations, plus a definite and sufficient percentage of allowance for overcoming the fatigue,—­then much objection to it will cease.

GENERAL LACK OF KNOWLEDGE THE CHIEF CAUSE OF OBJECTION TO THE TASK.—­As is the case with most objections to Scientific Management, or its elements, ignorance is the chief obstacle to the introduction and success of the Task Idea.  This ignorance seems to be more or less prevalent everywhere among managers as well as workers.

Scientific Management can, and does, succeed even when the workers are ignorant of many of its fundamental principles, but it will never make the strides that it should until every man working under it, as well as all outside, understand why it is doing as it does, as well as what is done.

This educational campaign could find no better starting point than the word “task,” and the “task idea.”

THE NAME TASK IS UNFORTUNATE.[6]—­The Century Dictionary defines “Task” as follows: 

    1. “a tax, an assessment, an impost
    2. “labor imposed, especially a definite quantity or amount
       of labor; work to be done; one’s stint; that which duty or
       necessity imposes; duty or duties collectively
    3. “a lesson to be learned; a portion of study imposed by a
       teacher
    4. “work undertaken,—­an undertaking
    5. “burdensome employment; toil.”

Only the fourth meaning, as here given, covers in any way what is meant by the task in Scientific Management.