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PT Strategic Development for Managers |
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Improving Performance |
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Looking for some
books describing organization design / structure?
One of our favorites is Geary A. Rummler's "Improving Performance: How to Manage the White Space in the Organization Chart" |
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Restructuring is one change people particularly dislike. From Dilbert cartoons to email exchanges, everyone hates restructuring, and few believe it will result in any sustainable change for the organization. Rather, employees believe that managers restructure their organization when they don't know what else to do.
Why, therefore, do organizations restructure? Clearly, managers feel that the old structure is not suited to the challenges of the future. The problem, often, is not that the new structure is worse, the problem is that management has not considered how to best introduce the changes. Approaching restructuring as a part of inevitable change, not a one-off solution, is a better way.
We believe that restructuring can be effectively handled, if managers:
 | consider its impact on employees, |
| clearly communicate the reasons for the change, |
| enthusiastically promote the opportunities the new structure will provide, and |
| avoid giving the impression that this one event will solve all future problems (whether we like it or not, restructuring will remain with us). |
Finally, if the principal problem is the competencies of the people working in an organization, changing the organization chart will not help. Where restructuring is appropriate, however, our consultants can help develop clients clarify a strategy, develop structures and transition plans, and communicate effectively with employees.