New Organizational Structure - Essay Example

It will involve the ability of specialists to adapt to each other in discovering the activities which need to be undertaken. Under mutual adjustment, control of the work will rest with the members of the division themselves and is achieved through the process of informal communication. The new order will be based on teamwork, but some formalization rapidly became necessary (Senior, 2001). Tasks and functions will be assigned according to the professional skills and personal qualities of employees, their work expectations, and their level of expertise (defined on the basis of interviews and questionnaires).

Teamwork will be the core of the new structure based on the compatibility of the members, the permanence of group members, and the nature of tasks. Also, production controllers will be replaced by production managers, so supervisors will be replaced by team leaders whose role is to help people achieve their goals and work as members of their own team. Teams will set up to identify the skills and attributes needed by team leaders and members in their new work environment. Steps to Manage the Transition The division will follow the traditional process of change: I - unfreezing, II - intervening, and III - refreezing (Nickols, 2003).

Unfreezing A special commission (5 employees) will be created which aim is to identify areas of improvement and find possible solutions. It is supposed that staff will take an active part in this process expressing hopes and expectations, identifying problems and areas of improvement. This strategy is aimed to overcome poor communication and create a positive climate in the division. A loan can be taken in order to update the line and increase the production facility. If organizational funds are limited, employees can be asked to invest personal funds into this project (for instance a month's pay which will be returned with an interest).

Intervening The need to focus on quality in order to improve the competitive edge, it will be necessary to invest in employee development, particularly via a new training center with a training coordinator. Initial changes will be to do with breaking down functional barriers by setting up teams. The concept of internal customers and suppliers will be developed, and clear and interrelated targets will be set for all managers in the supply chain.