Origin of Industrial Engineering
origin of industrial engineering
It dates back to the late 18th century, during the Industrial Revolution in England . At that time, technological advances were changing the way goods were produced following the emergence of machinery investor phone number data the mechanization of processes. It was in this context that the need to optimize production and industrial processes arose. Businessmen began to realize that they needed to apply scientific and mathematical methods to increase efficiency and reduce costs, which gave rise to the birth of Industrial Engineering .
What needs did the development of Industrial Engineering cover?
1. Production optimization: With the emergence of machinery and the mechanization of processes, it was necessary to find more efficient ways to produce goods. Therefore, Industrial Engineering was responsible for analyzing and optimizing production processes to increase productivity and reduce costs.
2. Work organization: Machinery required a way to organize workers and coordinate their tasks efficiently. In this case, Industrial Engineering was concerned with designing organizational structures and work methods that allowed effective collaboration and coordination between employees.
3. Scientific study of processes: to improve productivity and reduce costs, it was necessary to apply scientific and mathematical methods in the management of production processes. Industrial Engineering focused on developing techniques and tools to study and analyze these processes with the aim of identifying areas for improvement and optimizing resources.
4. Efficiency in the use of resources: in a context of industrial growth, it was essential to find more efficient ways of using available resources such as energy, space and materials. Therefore, this branch of engineering focused on the design of systems and methods that allowed for an effective and sustainable use of these resources.
5. Improving quality and safety: With mass production and product diversification, it was important to ensure the quality of goods and the safety of workers. Finally, Industrial Engineering was responsible for developing techniques for quality control and safety management in industrial processes.
Read also: 10 reasons to study Industrial Engineering in Colombia
Pioneers of Industrial Engineering
One of the pioneers of Industrial Engineering was Frederick Winslow Taylor, who is also considered the father of this engineering. In the 1880s, Taylor realized that productivity could be improved by studying and optimizing the movements of workers, as well as the design of production processes.
As the industry continued to grow and evolve, new approaches and methodologies emerged within Industrial Engineering. Later, in 1920, Henry Gantt introduced the Gantt Chart, a tool that allowed production to be scheduled and controlled more efficiently.
In the following decades, Industrial Engineering experienced great progress with the emergence of automation and the implementation of quality management systems such as Total Quality Management (TQM) and Lean Manufacturing, something that continues to evolve over time.
Importance of Industrial Engineering today
Industrial Engineering plays a fundamental role in today's society, as it helps to improve the efficiency and productivity of organizations, as well as to reduce costs and improve the quality of products and services.
One of the most important areas in which this engineering is applied is operations management. Through the analysis and design of processes, the aim is to eliminate bottlenecks and inefficiencies, ensuring greater efficiency in production.
In addition, Industrial Engineering is also applied to supply chain optimization, ensuring that materials and products move efficiently from the supplier to the end customer. This involves production planning, inventory management, and logistics distribution.
