Article Review
Internet Article Review
In the article When to call the organization doctor, author Robert N. Llewellyn gives an overview of steps a company or organization should take to recognize and solve their organizational problems before resorting to hiring an outside consultant. Llewellyn (2002) states that “in medicine, “prescription without diagnosis is malpractice.”” (p. 79), noting that it is all too common practice for management of an organization to bring in an outside consulting firm before diagnosing their problems first and possibly minimizing or even avoiding the expense and disruptions of the consultant.
Within this article Llewellyn gives a two step process that applies an “eight-element framework for organizational effectiveness” to the various organizational functions of the organization. This eight-element framework as presented in the article touches on the four functions of management. The Planning Function of management is covered in the Strategic Direction and Work Process elements, to develop a strategic plan or mission statement and the work processes to carry out this plan. The Organizing function is carried out in the Organizational Structure and Infrastructure elements to set up the organizational chart or hierarchies and streamlining the “underlying foundation required for performance.” (Llewellyn, 2003, p. 80). The Leading function of management is carried out in several elements; Performance Management, Rewards, and Cultural Support Systems. These three elements are designed to enhance all aspects of employee performance, moral, and growth by setting performance goals and providing feedback on those goals, rewarding employees when need be, and setting up programs to provide cultural growth in a strategic direction. The Controlling function is encompassed in the Goal Alignment element where the goals of various departments within an organization are all aligned with cascading goals that support one another in order to reach vertical and horizontal alignment.
The service contract currently held by BAE Systems at Schofield Barracks Hawaii is an organization comprised of numerous maintenance facilities, a supply warehouse, transportation department, and an administrative support staff. All of these functions must operate as a single entity for this company to profit from and maintain this service contract. For example: an army unit may bring a communications van in for repairs, they need the electrical system fixed and the whole van repainted. The unit will bring the van and required work order paperwork to the administrative clerks for processing. The clerks will process the paperwork and send the van to the electronics shop for the electrical repair. The technicians at the electronics shop will diagnose the electrical problems with the van, determine what parts are needed and turn the required purchase orders into the supply section. The supply section will then retrieve the parts and give them to the electronics technician who will then complete the electrical repairs on the van. Once the electrical repairs are completed the van will be taken to the paint shop, it will be painted and returned to the administrative clerk who will finalize the paperwork before returning the vehicle to [next page]