Organisation and Methods, Work Study and Work Management | Public Administration Optional for UPSC (Notes) PDF Download

Introduction

In today's globalized world, characterized by the concepts of a welfare state and good governance, it is crucial to transform administrative machinery to ensure its relevance and prevent obsolescence. Administrative improvement and reform have become a priority, aiming to bridge the gap between reality and desirable outcomes. These reforms can be driven by moral purposes or the need to adapt to changing times. Administrative improvement encompasses various terms such as administrative change, reform, reorganization, and revolution, either occurring independently or in continuum.

Obstacles to Administrative Reforms

• Excessive tolerance to maladministration.
• Political and bureaucratic inertia.
• Lack of funds and infrastructure.
• Insufficient research, knowledge, and opposing ideas/ideologies.
• Perceived idealistic reports that are not practically implementable.

Organization and Methods (O&M)

O&M, also referred to as organization and management, is a technique that stems from the principles of scientific management by Taylor and Gilbreth. It involves a systematic examination of activities to enhance the effective utilization of human and material resources. O&M is implemented by specialists or top-level officers within an organization and aims to eliminate delays, wastage, and overlapping.

Techniques within O&M

1. Work Study:

• Method Study: Systematically scrutinizes the tools, techniques, and processes used in a particular work, aiming to understand the what, when, how, why, where, and who aspects. The goal is to develop suitable improvement strategies, avoid resource wastage and delays.
• Work Measurement: Complements the method study by examining the type of work and its content.
• Organizational Analysis: Takes a holistic view, considering the work in relation to the entire organization. It assesses how improvements in a particular area impact the organization as a whole, both positively and negatively.

2. Work Management:
Work management is an integrated process that enables managers to identify efficient ways of performing tasks, simplifying and enhancing work within the organization.

• Task-Based Design: Outlines the organization's overall work in the form of a simple work chart.
• Work Queue: Organizes various activities within a specific task, including a "to-do" list.
• Work Management Groups: Responsible for task outlining, work queueing, performance evaluation, and setting standards.

3. Forward Engineering Process:
This technique emphasizes the need for organizations to anticipate future changes alongside contemporary changes. It involves various analyses:

• BOW (Barriers, Obstacles, and Weaknesses) Analysis
• CINE MATRIX (Controllable Internal factors and Non-controllable External factors) Analysis
• SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis
• SPOT (Space, Pace, Opportunities, and Threats) Analysis

Conclusion

Administrative improvement and reform are essential to align administrative practices with the requirements of a globalized world and the principles of good governance. Overcoming obstacles and employing techniques such as O&M, work study, work management, and forward engineering processes can help bring about substantial and noticeable changes in administrative systems. By embracing administrative improvement, organizations can adapt, evolve, and remain relevant in an ever-changing landscape, ensuring effective governance and the provision of welfare to citizens.