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 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 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 comply 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 assigns different employees, and strives to achieve aggregate results for all tasks.
Advantages of Division of Work Principle
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 so.
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 teamwork.
Results of Avoiding Division of Work Principle
The following are some consequences there will when avoiding this work division principle of management.
Work Specialization Cannot Be Achieved
Without dividing tasks appropriately, employees cannot develop expertise in a particular area.
This results in generalists rather than specialists, reducing efficiency and productivity.
Read More: Discipline Principle of Management
Waste of Time and Resources
Overlapping responsibilities or assigning tasks to unqualified individuals leads to resource wastage.
Employees may spend extra time correcting errors, causing delays and inefficiencies.
Conflicts May Arise
Unclear roles and responsibilities can cause misunderstandings among team members.
This often leads to blame games, reduced morale, and conflicts that disrupt teamwork and organizational harmony.
Tasks May Not Be Completed on Time
When tasks aren’t assigned, priorities become unclear, deadlines are missed, and overall organizational efficiency declines. Delayed projects can harm reputation and profitability.
Reduced Work Accuracy
Employees performing tasks outside their skills are more prone to errors.
This decreases the quality of output, negatively impacting customer satisfaction and company credibility.
By neglecting this principle, organizations face inefficiencies, reduced morale, and poor outcomes, highlighting the critical importance of work division.
Read Next: Authority and Responsibility Principle
Joshep Mahesh holds Bachelor in Management (BiM) Degree. He loves to share his business knowledge in his free time.