There have been a lot of discussions about the improvement of organisational effectiveness, but few know what it really means and how to go about achieving it. The fact is that most people fail to differentiate between true effectiveness and simply being good at what you do. True organisational effectiveness ultimately means that your organisation succeeds in executing its envisioned objective.
After several years of applying various improvement processes, many organisations execute their objectives in an efficient manner, but often in ways that does not add true value to such organisation. Although such organisations may function efficiently they are seldom effective, as its proposed execution is not on par with its organisational expectations.
In order to reach organisational effectiveness, it is important to identify the elements or processes you currently employ which impedes the organisation’s ability in fulfilling its mission. Once these shortcomings have been identified, a plan can be developed to foster the required capabilities.
Identify the mission of your organisation
This is the first step in redefining your organisation’s passage to effectiveness. You have to reconsider the objective of your organisation that has to be achieved by all means. If it is a question you have no answer to, you have to take a step back and work it out. Without a clear answer, any attempts at achieving organisational effectiveness become pointless. Achieving effectiveness simply means that your organisation is achieving its mission on a continuous basis. Without a well-defined mission it is impossible for any organisation to be effective.
Identify organisational shortcomings
Without a workforce there is no organisation. Ask yourself if your workforce have the required skills to achieve the mission of the organisation, and whether they are adequately trained to execute the mission effectively.
Adequate knowledge embodies the compilation and demonstration of information in such a manner to allow for effective action during service delivery. Ask yourself whether your workforce have sufficient access to any knowledge required to continuously achieve the mission of the organisation. Also ensure that data is translated into knowledge relevant to the mission by means of appropriate application of the context.
The managerial capability of an organisation signifies the insights and information that allows the management personnel and general workforce to effectively manage the execution in support of your organisation’s mission. You have to determine whether your team is equipped with the required data in order to identify any gaps in performance, and whether they are in a position to compare such information in order to implement necessary corrective measures. It may be essential to implement performance management training within your organisation to strengthen effectiveness.
Continuously build effectiveness
When all the possible shortcomings in the capability of your organisation have been identified, it is time to set up a well-defined framework from which such shortcomings can be addressed. This will enable you to build on these capabilities and to crusade for organisational effectiveness.
This line of attack may just be the missing bond that so often deters organisations to achieve effectiveness. Even in cases where the mission of the organisation is understood, it may be a challenge to unite the workforce of the organisation to continuously fulfill the set mission. When the mission is broken down into a group of necessary organisational capabilities, it is significantly easier for all members of the organisation to associate themselves with the detailed matters of improvement, and to become actively involved in achieving organisational effectiveness.