Concept of Industrial Engineering

Industrial engineering is the department having concern about improvement and effective utilization of 3 M (Man, Machine and material).

In simpler words, IE department only thinks about betterment of everything.

The people involved in IE department are known as industrial engineers. To become Industrial engineer person must possess knowledge of mathematics, physical sciences and management. Therefore, any person can become industrial engineer with basic knowledge.

IE breaks down an operation, analyses, and finds out better way of doing the operation to increase productivity and works on continuous improvement of the process.

The Concept of Industrial Engineering was first introduced by Adam Smith in 1776 via his book ‘Wealth of Nations’. He introduced concept of division of labour and use of specialized machine.

‘Frederick Taylor’ known as father of IE for initiating investigation of better work methods. He developed an integrated theory of management principles and methodologies such as collecting data of each element of work and developing standard operating procedures.

To improve productivity of organization Industrial Engineer uses different tools and techniques such as method study, time study, motion economy, inventory control, value analysis, material handling analysis, operation research techniques, etc.

Scope of IE

Mainly Industrial Engineering term was only applicable to manufacturing industry in olden days but now the scenario is different. In every field, Industrial engineering is there. Industrial Engineering can be applied in following industries apart from manufacturing.

Technical Sales & Marketing, Finance, Banking & service industry, Information Technology, Defense and Aerospace, Healthcare, Supply Chain management, Education and Research. Military & Homeland Security.

Importance of IE

• It improves the production and productivity of an industry by optimum use of man, material and the machine.
• It helps in improving the quality of the products being produced.
• It Improves efficiency of the person with different techniques of Industrial engineering
• It reduce fatigue of the operator -It ensures that the operator use right method to complete a job.
• It promotes safety, healthy working environment of the labour working on the industry.
• It concentrates on the ergonomics of the labour.