The Machine Metaphor

When you hear the word “machine”, what do you think of? For most people they probably think of how a machine works. In any type of machine, it is known that each part is responsible for some type of specific job. When it comes to a job or business, it involves many different people who are responsible of a job that they are good at. In the Machine Metaphor, there are three aspects including: Specialization, Standardization, and Predictability.

The first aspect is specialization. Specialization is also known as a division of labor and every spot has a specific function in a job or machine. For example, when working at a coffee bar, everyone has a specific job. One person is responsible for taking the order, making the drink, and passing it out. The second aspect of this metaphor is standardization, which is related to replaceability. All machines are made to have same parts similar to others so it is easy to be replaced. The third aspect is predictability, which involves how the machine is created and how it works.