Strategic Organization Planning

Shrinking profits, mergers, and new competitive pressures have led many companies to the realization that slimming down is now essential for corporate survival. This first comprehensive treatment of downsizing as a component of organization planning addresses the critical considerations and concerns that must be taken into account in any such organizational restructuring. This book shows how to find out what functions and units your organization should have and how they should fit together for the organization to survive and prosper in its environment. Dougherty presents both practical advice and the theory behind it, as well as case studies drawn from his own forty-five years of experience as an organization planner in private industry, government, and the military. He illustrates how to ascertain the most efficient design and size of the organization based on its business plan, and then, how to reduce the size of the organization accordingly. Written from a hands-on, managerial perspective, the book begns by defining organization planning and discussing the barriers to its successful performance. Dougherty goes on to describe powerful analytical tools and techniques available to the organization planner and to illustrate their application in real world situations. He explains the steps that must be taken to develop a sound organization structure,among them defining jobs, evaluating qualifications, compiling short- and long-range plans, changing the work of key managers and executives, and implementing the plan. The case study section shows how these principles, tools, and techniques were applied in organizations ranging from a large automobile company, to a recreation company, to an art association with only seven employees, as well as a church and a management association with no paid employees. The final section presents recommendations for the business practitioner. By clearly setting forth the issues involved and the requirements for success in corporate downsizing, Dougherty has made a major cotribution to the ongoing quest for greater corporate organizational efficiency and improved performance.