At 12:29 PM 11/30/95, ROBERT L HUSSEY wrote:
>My organization is currently organized in a very hierarchical fashion.
>New upper management is looking at changing the org to a more 'linear'
>model, with three 'tracks' focused on three major business processes. One
>'track' will focus on the ultimate Consumers of our products (we make
>juices, primarily), one will focus on our Customers (retailers, grocers,
>wholesalers, etc) and the third will focus on Technology (food technology,
>for ex.). My question has to do with information flow: how will it
>change, how should it change, what are the dangers, how do we make sure
>information is flowing correctly, timely, etc. How can we use information
>technology to move information and learnings to the appropriate people at
>the appropriate times? . . . . . .
Maybe because I'm reviewing a Mass Quality Award candidate right now, but:
1. Look at the MQA or Baldridge sections on data and information flow.
There are lots of good questions, like how does the data collected fit
with the strategy, do the right people get access to the data in a timely
fashion, etc.
2. An alternative thought: start with your strategic plan. The tactics
that flow from your plan should point to where to send/collect
information. Then build in the checks and balances to verify it. Easier
said then done, eh?
I guess the other question I have for you is- why should it be different
if you reorganize? Is it just that people are identified by name now,
instead of by function? (Sorry if I've oversimplified the problem.)
Johanna Rothman
-- ------------------------------------------------------------- Rothman Consulting Group, Inc. URL:http://world.std.com/~jr/ voice:617-641-4046 fax:617-641-2764 jr@world.std.com Management Consulting for High Technology Product Development