A Novel Approach to Clarifying Organizational Roles

Abstract

This paper focuses on the process used to define role responsibilities during an organizational analysis of a leading U.S. orchestra's management. The study's objective was to clarify organizational roles to facilitate orderly and effective utilization of the resources of the orchestra's Board and staff. The analysis process, which is generalizable to other types of organizations, results in the clear definition of organizational functions and responsibilities. It combines the use of tools from Value Engineering and Organizational Analysis into an approach that can be carried to the level of writing position descriptions for key positions and committees. A major benefit is individuals' understanding and acceptance of their new responsibilities because of participating in the process.