Tasks and people

3 important questions on Tasks and people

What two main themes relate to task design according to Burton?

  1. repetitiveness: task well defined, standardisation --> high
  2. Divisibility: how much coordination between workplaces is needed to perform a task

What are the main four forms and their characteristics?

  • Orderly: coordination need low, each task assigned to seperate work units (according to B&O)
  • Complicated: sub tasks done by seperate units but are interdependent, much coordination needed
  • Fragmented: every sub unit can do work at its own pace, not much coordination needed
  • Knotty: coordnation need high between sub tasks but non repetitive  

What are the four forms regarding people and their characteristics?

Shop: simple routines few steps, few training, task orderly
Factory: many individuals low on professionalization, high coordination requirements, complicated task design
Laboratory: professionalization high, low number of people, independence between units, fragmented task design
Office: many people high specialization, high coordination need, knotty tasks

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