Management Technologies

Abstract

Besides the operation of priority systems discussed in the previous chapter, there are other management methods which promote efficiency, helping workers to organise, review and evaluate their efforts. Specifically these are MBO, including time management, performance appraisal and caseload assessment and review, notably via caseload (as opposed to workload) management; matching people and jobs through careful recruitment and selection; arranging organisational structures so as to prevent burn-out; and managing the introduction of change. A core strategy is decision-making which will be considered before the study of specific management competencies and skills is undertaken. There is also a case study to show how one organisation, the Department of Social Security, took up an initiative (which was prompted by a social worker) to re-arrange its operations in order to reduce staff stress. In recent times there has been some acknowledgement that personnel in the human services are human too (Dawson, 1989); in industry and the business sector there has been more attention paid to developing what are known as employee assistance programmes, hence this chapter proposes that we offer counselling to those within the caring professions themselves. Our first main topic, though, is MBO, which encompasses discussions about caseload and time management and performance review.