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3. Design and maintain productive systems of work

Key ideas

To effectively deliver their products and services organisations require a framework to ensure they can provide a replicable set of activities, aligned to the organisation's values, with clear accountabilities and authorities for work.
The framework to achieve this is called a system of work.

Overview

Organisations exist to bring together and direct the work of many people towards a common business purpose. Systems of work deliver the organisation's purpose by enabling work across the organisation. Systems of work set the boundaries of this work, in line with legislation, social norms and the organisation's values.

Systems of work not only define the work and how it is done, they also strongly influence the behaviour of employees and help create the organisation's culture. If well designed and aligned with requisite managerial leadership, their influence will be highly productive. They help provide the work environment to enable productive work and employee satisfaction.

The alignment of structure, functions, roles and processes is essential for the delivery of the organisation's strategy and business as usual activities.

Providing effective systems of work is a key accountability of the CEO and the Executive team.

Member downloads

Access member downloads for Design and maintain productive systems of work including:

What is a system of work?
Systems of work roles, accountabilities and authorities
Principles for design of a system of work
Process for designing/reviewing systems of work
Systems of work and culture
Tools and resources - Systems of work accountability map
Tools and resources - Systems of work control document template
Tools and resources - Example: System of work control document people management system
Tools and resources - Example: System of work control document selection
Tools and resources - Systems of work effectiveness scan
Tools and resources - A comparison of the Leadership Framework and RACI