A task is a narrowly defined piece
of work assigned to a person. With a mechanistic design, tasks are broken down
into specialized, separate parts, as in a machine, with each employee performing
activities according to a specific job description. A role, in contrast, is a part in
a dynamic social system. A role has discretion and responsibility, allowing the
person to use his or her discretion and ability to achieve an outcome or meet a
goal. In an organization with an organic design, employees play a role in the
team or department and roles may be continually redefined or adjusted