Tag Archives: optimization

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Divide and Conquer

1 Comment

Bureaucratic organizations are typically complex structures with many departments and divisions that are administered by lots of people.

These kinds of organizations are a product of decentralization.   Focus areas or silo’s of expertise are created.  This results in multiple groups each with a very narrow focus, which can be easier to oversee but suffers from lack of integration.

Division of Labor

A side effect of creating specializations and divisions of labor is turf wars and acting in self-interest.   The central areas which govern the whole often end up participating in political skirmishes both between silos and with themselves directly.

Centralization can result in a diminishing focus, which can affect the overall quality, but will almost also increase efficiency resulting in quicker turnaround with fewer hoops to jump through.

Centralization

Centralizing functions within large complex organizations is often a change strongly resisted by the organization’s stakeholders.    This change can dramatically affect the accountability and control of de-centralized areas.

Moving to a more centralized structure does need to be done with caution.  The potential for passive-aggressive resistance must be both recognized and planned for.

Solidly entrenched positions can be torn asunder and the incumbents are likely to become roadblocks without working collaboratively to overcome this.

Motivation

From the start of any centralization exercise, it is critical to highlight the value of reducing the bureaucracy together with associated personal benefits (i.e., what does it mean to me).

Working carefully consulting throughout with all impacted stakeholders restructuring and organization can improve it’s ability to accomplish its goal.  If the change is simply rammed through though the results can be catatrosophic.

 

 

 

 

 

Random thoughts – keeping you on your toes

Finding the right balance

Leave a comment

I had an interesting discussion today about balancing competing interests.  This is a topic I have touched on in previous posts but it is always interesting with many points to consider. Today I build on past thoughts I have shared on this subject.

The English language contains a large number of interesting sayings that in an of themselves are contradictory.  In fact, they really just highlight the importance of finding the optimal balance .

For Example

  • “You have to spend money to make money” In fact, considered literally spending is the opposite of making so doing one to increase the other seems illogical.
  • “We need to increase revenue while decreasing costs”  This seems the opposite of spending to make money, but how can you increase revenue without doing something more (which typically increases costs)
  • “Take er easy and just get it done”  Slowing down and relaxing does not intuitively seem the best way to accomplish something.

Yin versus Yang

Ancient Chinese philosophy includes the concept of Ying and Yang. In brief, the concept defines yin and yang as cosmic dualities by which the universe is governed.  They represent sets of two opposing and complementing principles or cosmic energies that can be observed in nature.

Finding the optimal balance between these competing energies, which is building on the complementary parts and reducing the opposing parts, is key to your happiness and peace.

The concept of Yin and Yang is simply a real recognition that in all things the extreme approach is unlikely if ever the best way to proceed.

Balance in everything will lead to health, wealth and happiness.