Rediscovering scientific management. The evolution from industrial engineering to industrial data science

Abstract

Industrial Engineering, through its role as design, planning and organizational body of the industrial production, has been crucial for the success of manufacturing companies for decades. The potential, expected over the course of Industry 4.0 and through the application of Data Analytic tools and methods, requires a coupling to established methods. This creates the necessity to extend the traditional job description of Industrial Engineering by new tools from the field of Data Analytics, namely Industrial Data Science. Originating from the historic pioneers of Industrial Engineering, it is evident that the basic principles will remain valuable. However, further development in view of the data analytic possibilities is already taking place. This paper reviews the origins of Industrial Engineering with reference to four pioneers, draws a connection to current day usage, and considers possibilities for future applications of Industrial Data Science.