Organisational Structures - Case Study

Adapting an organisation to improve performance and better meet constituent needs

A large military corps was concerned that the current HQ structure was not adequately supporting the management and leadership of essential services that were provided by both regular and volunteer personnel. Initial issues concerned problems in recruitment and retention, but were then extended to include the need to increase the speed and flexibility of response whilst reducing cost as part of a total government requirement.

We reviewed the organisation through a series of structured reviews, focus groups, and analysis of comparable structures, both military and civilian. This review identified a number of significant issues concerning the clarity of expectations on the use of volunteer personnel, the role and structure of the HQ functions, and also the role and structure of other regiments that either provided training or were end users of the corps services.

Recommendations were developed and tested in debate both within the corps and with all other stakeholders. These recommendations focused on how to develop structures and roles that would be flexible enough to meet the expectations of volunteers, who often had experience of best management practice outside the military environment, yet conformed sufficiently to army cultures and operational requirements.

Finally the recommendations were communicated throughout the HQ, the corps and the stakeholders, ensuring that leaders at all levels were able to demonstrate their understanding of the changes and their personal support, and to answer questions and challenges.