Disorganization

Confronting Disorganization

To fix a problem of disorganization requires multifaceted skills and approaches. Usually a specific symptom is tackled and little attention is given to the need to prevent disorganization from popping up somewhere else. A more thorough, comprehensive approach requires a review, possibly a very brief one, of all issues relevant to effective plans or goals that would ensure avoidance of future disorganization somewhere in the organization. These issues often reside in matters of coordination and cooperation, implying that communication issues could be involved. Other issues may concern a lack of participation in decisions so that important matters are overlooked, which would have been uncovered by appropriate involvement of the right people. Competence levels can present additional issues arising or being given the attention that they deserve. A little thought about stakeholder reaction to any steps that might be decided can also be helpful, as well as a brief analysis of work ethics and other norms. These can foreshadow likely sources of resistance and deliberate disorganization of the desired end state. In short, problem solving to thoroughly resolve a case of disorganization—and planning to avoid it in the future—requires cultivating organizational habits that deliver effective decision making by ensuring that all relevant issues are given consideration.

Practical Approach

One possible approach could be to ask a series of questions related to causes, and potential causes, whenever a disorganization problem occurs. While the [Page 396]following questions are not the only possible set that can be used, they are comprehensive and solidly based on the literature and concern issues such as

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