Learning objectives
To understand what a process is.
To distinguish different processes from each other.
To learn how processes are measured and optimized.
To understand the challenges which process management entails for public management.
The paradigm change from a hierarchial to process-oriented organization
Let us think of the classical organization paradigm: as with companies, public agencies were traditionally organized in a top-down manner. This form of organization, typically described as a hierarchical structure, is marked by a pronounced internal orientation, as well as long communication and decision-making chains. Work tasks are typically delegated by line managers from top to bottom, and decisions are presented for authorization from bottom to top. The major advantage of hierarchical organizations is that all parties involved know what they have to do e.g. in army chains of command and that knowledge is reliably managed in a paper-based public administration. This form of organization, however, suffers from two decisive disadvantages: First, decision-making times are relatively long and, second, internally focused staff are not responsive to customers, nor much interested in their needs and preferences. Their working world exists inside rather than outside the organization.