Reorganization...
Although there is some question about the authenticity of the quote it is still interesting from a management or organizational behavior perspective:
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"We trained hard, but it seemed that everytime we were beginning to form
up into teams, we would be reorganized. I was to learn later in life
that we tend to meet any new situation by reorganizing; and a wonderful
method it can be for creating the illusion of progress while producing
confusion, inefficiency and demoralization."
Petronius Arbiter (210 B.C.)
Reorganizing is often done for many reasons including new leadership, failing to meet objectives, attempting to increase efficiency, eliminating redundancy, performance management, latest management fad, etc. Sometimes the reorganization is driven by a desire to create a "matrix", "flat", "functional", "hiearchical", "hybrid", etc. organizational structures.
To acheive a successful reorganization I think a fundamental question always needs to be asked..."What problem(s) need to be solved?" Then is it is paramount to understand what is the root cause of the problem. This is probably one of the hardest steps because it often takes time, requires effective measurement ("If you don't measure it, you can't improve it."), and often results in redefinition of the what the problem really is. The other challenge in understanding the need for reorginization is to validate the assumptions being made. Once it is understood "where the organization is coming from" it makes it far easier to understand where it needs to go.
Where the organization needs to go is often very subjective with numerous organizaitonal structures that can accomplish the goal. However regardless of which structure is choosen it is essential to evaluate progress towards the goal(s) of the new structure. All to often the "fire and forget" approach is taken resulting in a "rinse and repeat" every 6 to 12 months. It is far easier to make slight course changes as the reorganization is occuring rather than having to reorganized the reorganized organizations.
