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Module 2 Structure PCA

Arizona State University

Jonathan Limon

OGL 481: Pro-Seminar I

Dr. Brent Scholar

July 4, 2022
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The Structural Frame

The structural frame is the first frame we discuss in our path to understanding in

reframing organizations. The structural features in organizations help resolve issues of

redesigning organizations and exploring other alternatives when considering revisions of the

group (Bolman, pg. 44, par. 4). The structural concepts to groups and teams are applied when

teams work poorly, giving opportunity to new alternatives to different methods than those

currently in place. By getting organized and restructuring organizational charts, we can display

different images that reflect the structural view of the organization. The structural frame is one of

the oldest and most popular ways of thinking about organizations (Bolman, pg. 44, par. 1). 

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role. 

While restructuring the design in my department, my loosely self-managed team was

stalled in the building of new software to get put in place. The restructuring process was stalled

due to an unclear vision when a third-party project manager was brought in for 30 days to take

charge and migrate our team to a new structure and software. Management ran through a

simple hierarchy because all inside sales agents on the team have their individual campaigns

they specialize and work in. Authority was handed off to a temporary project manager with an

unclear vision of what was supposed to be accomplished. All resources were available to

restructure the organization and communication fell apart. This caused the deadline to be

pushed back for when the department was successfully moved. 

2) Describe how the structure of the organization influenced the situation.

The structure of the organization was built on a simple hierarchy model. With the CEO

giving instructions to CFO and COO, those tasks were delegated in the modeled way that was

created from the top of the chain. My boss gave goals and objectives that were delegated to the
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rest of the sales team, but tension between assigning work and synchronizing efforts created a

dilemma to change. Decision making must be approved through higher members of the

organization to change the loosely built structure currently in place, usually getting shut down.

An overload of work gave little to no time to allow for planning the phasing stages and taking

actions as objectives and goals had to be met on a weekly basis.

This influenced the goal bound structure so sales agents can get paid. At the same time

in a built structure where my team is loosely managed, it makes it challenging to display my role

of authority due to being a newer member of the organization. My judgment is not trusted, and

my goal bound structure is set from their expectations in the organization. Configurations were

made month to month which increased productivity 3x the amount 6 months prior but was not at

the basis expected. A higher output of sales was expected with a drop in quality and flow, and a

change was stalled due to lack of authority being handed to the leader of the organization.  

3) Recommend how you would use structure for an alternative course of action regarding

your case.

I would use structure for an alternative course of action by taking the key points of the

current structure that function and show a proactive approach to presenting a new layout of the

new structure. By using structure, I can recreate the vision by producing a more beneficial and

automated approach. Structural assumptions can cause a drawback, but applying perspective

as explained in the textbook (Bolman, pg. 49, par. 1) can help increase the efficiency in the

group, as explained by the two pioneers of structural perspective. A small range of tasks will

help my small group department in maximizing individual members and their outputs. Team

configurations will provide new methods to demo (Bolman, pg. 98, par. 1) and help demonstrate

which configuration will succeed in enhancing the department. 

With the vision lacking creativity, it creates obstacles to demonstrate what the full

potential of my department can be, while being restricted on decision making. Lack of clarity and
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creativity provide issues, making authority unclear and tailoring roles to fit personal preferences

instead of shaping them to meet system wide goals (Bolman, pg. 75, par. 1). Another issue can

be excessive autonomy (Bolman, pg. 75, par. 3). People can feel isolated when excessive,

causing authority to be pictured as a yes man situation. Structure as an alternative can help find

what fits and what is overlooked when it comes to looking at an alternative course of action.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently give what you have learned about

this frame.

What I would do differently after learning about this frame is restructure the organization

to meet the needs of the sales agent on my team. Tightening up on self-managing in an all-

channel network can help influence the team on productivity and everybody is practically a

stakeholder in the group. By handling equal share of the duties, everyone can take part in self

managing their pipelines in a more structured format. Meanwhile a selected member can have

the task of reporting to higher management, creating other duties for the rest of the team.

Accountability and communication are important key factors to improvise on the

restructuring and planning phase. The course of painting the perspective for the team can help

lay the foundation and effort by all members. My department can take its position of authority by

reorganizing itself in a way that works for everyone, with key tasks assigned to certain

members. Once the ploy is in play when action is taken for the restructuring phase,

demonstrating what the results can be would help ensure everyone is on the right path, placing

milestones where needed. 

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References:

Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2017). Reframing organizations: Artistry, choice, and

leadership (6th ed.). San Francisco, CA: Jossey-Bass