Week 6 – Basics of BPR (2)

Source / Reference:

1.      Grant&Mergen-Leavitt-ITP-1996

Subject:

In the Leavitt Diamond, how the changes of an element affect other elements?

Response:

Leavitt Diamond comprises of four elements: tasks, structure, people and technology. Tasks mean the activities done by people. Structure means the levels of managerial authority and the levels of authority between technologies. People mean the employees who perform tasks. Technology means the computer hardware and software.

 If one of the element changes, it has a direct effect on other elements, other elements will be changed accordingly.

If tasks were changed:

Effects on Structure:

Departments may be merged or split in order to meet the goals of tasks.

Effects on People:

Manpower may be changed to optimize the knowledge and skill of personnel.

Effects on Technology:

Advanced technology may be required to execute tasks.

If structure was changed:

Effects on Tasks:

New tasks should be assigned to different employee.

Effects on People:

More qualified people should be hired for new job post. Less qualified employees should be cut down.

Effects on Technology:

Hardware and software should be upgraded or substituted according to the changes of organization structure.

If people were changed:

Effects on Tasks:

Training should be provided to employees, so employees can handle tasks well.

Effects on Structure:

Change the organizational structure to align with job posts.

Effects on Technology:

Technical team should adjust the system to meet the change of manpower.

If Technology was changed:

Effects on Tasks:

Tasks can be performed in electronic instead of using much workforce.

Effects on Structure:

More technology-related departments can be set up to support the change to technology.

Effects on people:

Equip employees the necessary item, such as laptop, data cards in order to help them perform tasks easily.

To conclude, if there are changes on one element, other elements should be changed accordingly.