Can Barton Restore Confidence in the IT Department in the Rest of the Firm - Essay Example

Barton's rapport with Williams is also outstanding and the kind of ideas he gives him during the meeting is a clear indication that he is one man who is capable of restoring confidence in the IT department and even in other afflicted areas of the firm.

Does the "Doctrine of Completed Staff Work" make sense in a world of instant information access?
The doctrine of “completed staff work” refers to the process whereby the staff in a company study’s a certain problem and when they come up with the solution, one of the staff members presents the solution to their head for approval or disapproval so as to have the appropriate course of action to solve the issue. The solution presented to the chief officer should have all the details required to offer a satisfactory answer and it is, therefore, important to do all the necessary consultations before forwarding it to the chief. This is the reason why it is referred to as “completed staff work”. However, the advancement in information technology tends to comprise this doctrine since an issue that happens in a company and maybe affects the customers will likely reach the CEO before the “completed staff work is done” on the issue.

This is due to the emergence of various communication and information platforms on the internet such as emails and social media networks. When a problem arises in a company, like the one discussed in the book, an outsider who notices the issue will post it on the internet, which within a fraction of a second, will go viral and eventually reach the CEO of the company before the right actions have been done. This is a clear indication that the doctrine of “completed staff work” makes no sense in the world of instant information access.

Who do you agree with? Maggie suggests frequent communication with Williams, Davies says to lay low until Barton has concrete progress. 


This relates to the doctrine of “Completed staff work” in almost every aspect. As earlier learned, Completed staff work is a process where the staff members sit and discuss a troubling issue, and once they come up with fine details of how to solve it, they give it to their immediate supervisor who then takes the solution to the CEO. In this regard, I would go by Davies's idea of laying low until Barton who apparently is their immediate leader comes up with a concrete idea. This way, they shall be able to consult well among themselves over the problem and its solutions and then get the fine details to present to the CEO for his approval or disapproval so as to outline the way forward on the appropriate actions to be taken to solve the problem. The ultimate head of a company should not be involved in the process of “completed staff work” since he is mandated with a greater responsibility of overseeing the whole company and reporting to the board of directors on the progress of the company.

I can't resist a change of pace- what do you make of Barton's playlist?
“I can’t resist a change of pace” is essentially a clear indication that Barton is an open-minded person who is ready to embrace the changes happening every day and every other new aspect trending in the information technology sector and other areas in general. He is a person who is ready to adjust to the changing pace of various factors influencing their company and as ahead of the IT department, he portrays this character to set a good example to the rest of the staff that might not be willing or able to adapt to the changes.

Should Barton bypass the CEO and take his concerns directly to the Board? 


It is important to first and foremost understand the significance of the board of directors in a company. This is the overall executive team that directly or indirectly makes a company continue running. They are the people at the highest point of a company’s operations and decision-making. They work hand in hand with the chief executive officer who works directly under them. In this regard, it is quite incorrect and unprofessional to report a problem directly to the Board instead of going to the CEO. Barton should raise his concerns to his direct boss, the CEO who then forwards the issues to his ultimate boss, the board of directors. Read More