ry 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.

The ideas included in the other four definitions are most
unpleasant. The thought of labor; the thought that the labor is
imposed; the thought that the imposition is definite; that duty
makes it necessary that it be done; that it is burdensome; that it
is toilsome: these are most unfortunate ideas and have been
associated with the word so long in the human mind that it will be a
matter of years before a new set of associations can be formed which
will be pleasant, and which will render the word "task" attractive
and agreeable to the worker and to the public in general.

NO OTHER ADEQUATE WORD HAS BEEN SUGGESTED.--However, there seems
to be no better word forthcoming; therefore, one can but follow the
example of the masters in management, who have accepted this word,
and have done their best to make it attractive by the way they
themselves have used it.

To the writer, the word "stint" is far more attractive and
more truly descriptive than is "task." Perhaps because of the
old-fashioned idea that a reward, usually immediate, followed the
completion of the "stint."

Opinions as to a preferable word will doubtless vary, but it is
self-evident that the word "task" has already become so firmly
established in Scientific Management that any attempt to change it
would result in a confusion. It is far better to concentrate on
developing a new set of associations for it in as many minds
as possible.

DECIDED ADVANTAGE TO THE USE OF THE WORD TASK.--Perhaps in one
way it is fortunate that the use of the word "task" does coincide
more or less with the use of that word under Traditional Management.