"Proceduralization"

[thug the bunny]

My work generally involves performing research or testing that always results in a technical report for a client. Back in the day, I would do my research, then go to my boss and say, 'hey boss, I'm gonna write a report for the X project'. He'd say, 'fine, when are you going to deliver it?'. I would give him a date (somtimes driven by the client), write the report, put it through review and technical editing, and deliver it. If it was going to be late, I would let my boss know.

Now, we have a 'Procedure' for writing and delivering reports. The thing is like 8 pages long. The process now involves almost everyone in the office rather than the orginal 3. There is a flow chart for the process that looks like a wiring diagram for a nuclear submarine.

Why does everything need a procedure? What happened to common sense? I am waiting for our new bathroom, paper clip, and pen use procedures.

It seems like all areas of life are following this trend. Is it me, or is everything getting more 'proceduralized' in a non-reversible way towards a horizon where the very cells in our bodies will not be allowed to divide without following an SOP and filling out a form?

 

[ollinger]

Rather than developing technology to mimic people, we have now gone on to developing people (and their procedures) to mimic technology. When BMW first came out with touch screen controls on car dashboards, changing the radio station was a 6-step operation. Is this better than what used to be a 1-step procedure. I think not. But we are so enamored now of complexity that operations and systems are incorporating that technology. Oh, and your company is worried about being sued if your work isn't reviewed by other people.

 

[Bartelby]

Its called the managerial revolution of the 1980s: the computer-assissted de-professionalisation of work through its submission to bureaucratic protocols.

Maybe not in your line of activity, but the aim is to make the work easily casualisable while the managers track the work through your reporting schedules.

 

[thug the bunny]

That is another example of this mindset of 'unpowering' (as opposed to empowering) the individual. Our machines now tell us what to do rather than the other way around. It's getting more than just annoying, it's getting dangerous.

 

[spaceman_spiff]

Sometimes, the procedures are there to make things idiot-proof. I've worked in a couple of places where the reasons for their procedures were quite obvious. Common sense isn't all that common, unfortunately.

 

[r2473]

You should read Marx's ideas on "objectification" and "alienation" (I know!! Marx!!! Socialist claptrap!!).

Or Heidegger and "the question concerning technology".

These may not be 100% on point, but could be interesting reading and give you some further things to think about in the area you call "proceduralization".

 

[r2473]

That is another example of this mindset of 'unpowering' (as opposed to empowering) the individual. Our machines now tell us what to do rather than the other way around. It's getting more than just annoying, it's getting dangerous.

....or maybe just read 1984 or 2001 a space odyssey

 

[subz]

Have you watched the movie Brazil ? If not, you should.

 

[ollinger]

^^ the apex of DeNiro's career.

 

[sureshs]

I have intimate experience of this.

Initially it is a Wild West atmosphere. Then traceability, accountability and manageability become required. Individual brilliance is superseded by an assembly line mentality. A whole group of entrenched people become professional managers. Soon, it becomes a legal necessity once the place becomes big and fear of lawsuits and government probes take over. The productivity goes down. The company either goes under, or survives by layoffs and outsourcing to other countries, and the bright minds leave for the next big thing. The cycle continues.

 

[thug the bunny]

The cycle continues.

Until...?

Have you watched the movie Brazil ?

Yes, heard of it, and it has always been one of those movies in the back of my mind but forgotten when it coms time to pick a flick. It's about a society in which things are designed to NOT work, right?

 

[ollinger]

I call this the "Barings Effect." Recall in 1995 that a single trader, Nick Leeson, working out of the Singapore office of Barings Bank, Britain's oldest and most venerable banking institution, was able to go unnoticed as he made financial maneuvers and took risky positions that caused the bank to lose something like one to two billion dollars and go out of business.

 

[sureshs]

Until...?

It just continues. Some companies, like oil companies and big defense contractors can survive for ever, because of their national importance to security and the economy. The private sector companies selling optional products (meaning consumer does not need to buy them) collapse, be taken over, orbe completely remade, or a new start-up comes up. Google was a start-up, but now it has established a huge lobbying presence in DC, and has compromised on its freedom of speech requirements in China. Once a company goes public and becomes large, politicians get involved. Shareholders want profits, not ideals or brilliance, and the CEO who ignores them can go to jail for fiduciary neglect. People get employed by the thousands, meaning politicians look to them for creating jobs and giving campaign money. Make no mistake - no big company thrives on merit alone. It requires political support to compete against foreign competition, patent protection, expansion overseas, favorable legislation, infrastructure built by taxpayer, etc. This aspect is not understood by the rank-and-file worker who thinks the company succeeds because of its products. But in the top ranks it is all about this.

 

[subz]

Until...?



Yes, heard of it, and it has always been one of those movies in the back of my mind but forgotten when it coms time to pick a flick. It's about a society in which things are designed to NOT work, right?

Its very related to this thread topic. I would recommend to watch it as soon as possible. You will feel better when you realize things can get worse.

When my job contract ended, friends recommended to watch Office Space and immediately I felt great.

So go watch BRAZIL.

 

[zapvor]

totally agree with you thug bunny

 

[thug the bunny]

It just continues. Some companies, like oil companies and big defense contractors can survive for ever, because of their national importance to security and the economy. The private sector companies selling optional products (meaning consumer does not need to buy them) collapse, be taken over, orbe completely remade, or a new start-up comes up. Google was a start-up, but now it has established a huge lobbying presence in DC, and has compromised on its freedom of speech requirements in China. Once a company goes public and becomes large, politicians get involved. Shareholders want profits, not ideals or brilliance, and the CEO who ignores them can go to jail for fiduciary neglect. People get employed by the thousands, meaning politicians look to them for creating jobs and giving campaign money. Make no mistake - no big company thrives on merit alone. It requires political support to compete against foreign competition, patent protection, expansion overseas, favorable legislation, infrastructure built by taxpayer, etc. This aspect is not understood by the rank-and-file worker who thinks the company succeeds because of its products. But in the top ranks it is all about this.

You bring up some interesting points about the connection between business and politics. I guess this connection is neccesary and has benefits for society, however over time this connection becomes cancerous and deviates from the true role of government, which is the good of the people. Thus, I don't think the cycle can continue forever. I think we are actually starting to see the beginning of the end (ie, the numerous financial debacles around the world), or if not the end, then a collapse which will then start a new cycle.

 

[LuckyR]

There are fields where there is a zero tolerance fior errors, in these areas, using individual excellence as the error preventor ultimately fails as no one can be 100% vigilant. Policies and procedures (that is systems) can help an individual avoid errors.

This doesn't sound like the OP's situation. My guess in that case, a "consultant" was hired to evaluate the business and he came up with these "procedures" to improve "efficiency". My condolances...

I like the BMW analogy.

 

[thug the bunny]

a zero tolerance fior errors

Couldn't help but notice the irony.

I think that when you post you should follow our document SOP.

 

[LuckyR]

Couldn't help but notice the irony.

I think that when you post you should follow our document SOP.

Now THAT is funny!