Organizational Development: A Manual for Managers and ... - FPDL
Organizational Development: A Manual for Managers and ... - FPDL
Organizational Development: A Manual for Managers and ... - FPDL
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The number of levels needed depends on the size <strong>and</strong> complexity of the organization <strong>and</strong><br />
situation, the ratio between control <strong>and</strong> self-regulation, <strong>and</strong> the capacity of the organization’s<br />
controllers. When controllers are weak – then more levels are needed. Everyone would agree that<br />
in very high hierarchies it is common to find extremely incompetent directors at any level.<br />
Deviations <strong>and</strong> control<br />
Control is needed to keep any situation within the desired area of ‘existence space’, or to ensure<br />
that it comes to this area. The trajectory of the move to this destination may be assigned from<br />
outside, from a higher level of control, or elaborated by the controller on the relevant level.<br />
In case the actual movement deviates from the given trajectory (e.g. interim results are not<br />
compliant with the supposed or planned ones), the direction should be adjusted within the frame of<br />
any controllable parameter or combination of them. Uncontrollables, alas, remain uncontrollable.<br />
But the direction is always under influence of the controller as long as at least one essential<br />
parameter remains controllable.<br />
A reason <strong>for</strong> a deviation may be casual or systematic.<br />
• Casual reason may refer to stochastic natural factors (e.g. weather, staff illness,<br />
appearance or not of certain clients, etc.) or factors that could not be known in advance<br />
(e.g. a new product in the market, a difficult political decision on building a new bridge,<br />
etc.). The response to a casual reason should be correction of the trajectory.<br />
• Systematic reason may belong to controllable as well as to uncontrollable parameters or<br />
factors.<br />
If a systematic reason consists of regularly reiterating deviations belonging to controllable<br />
parameters – it is, by definition, always possible to eliminate it.<br />
An adequate reaction to a regular deviation of uncontrollable parameters may be repetitive<br />
corrections; the same might be true <strong>for</strong> casual reasons.<br />
However, instead of regular exercises of correction to realign regularly deviating parameters, it<br />
may be possible to implement certain permanent compensation <strong>for</strong> objectionable deviations of an<br />
uncontrollable parameter. In other words, it may be possible to create a permanent adjustment to<br />
controllable parameters in order to create a corresponding permanent change <strong>and</strong> thereby keep<br />
outcomes within the desirable range. For example, dressing more warmly in response to cold<br />
weather, implementing new security measures in response to a rising threat of terrorist attacks,<br />
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