WORK DESIGN
Work design involves analysing
the way an organisation actually performs its business, or any part of its
business, in an effort to solve a particular problem. That problem could be low
productivity, low morale, high stress levels, poor communication etc. The underlying objective of any work system
design is the reduction of any variance between workers and the organisation’s
goals. Many things can be the root
cause of such problems and work design analysis seeks to identify those and
make recommendations to solve them. The
solutions can range from changes in the structure of the organisation, in the way work is organised or in changing
the actual layout of the workplace.
One of the greatest
difficulties modern organisations face is to keep abreast of technological
changes. Unfortunately, the introduction of new technology can also bring far
more headaches than the planners envisaged.
All too often the human side of any computerised work system is
overlooked with disastrous consequences. Therefore, the need to ensure that
work system design is considered from every conceivable perspective is an
economic necessity.
Many organisations are finding
that, to remain competitive in quickly changing global markets, new production
methods and a new type of multi-skilled worker are required which both need to
be flexible enough to react to a changing environment. However, these also
expose the human side of problems which, unless dealt with, can seriously
undermine overall organisational performance.
Psychol offer
a complete work analysis service that will study the organisational problem
from all perspectives and offer recommendations for a satisfactory resolution.
mailto:op.services@psychol.co.uk