I have been doing this type of work for 25 years: Sometimes I am asked to review the effectiveness and “health” of an organisation when I can bring my expertise in “organisation and method study”, dealing with personnel, together with my management training and my line manager experience to bear, along with my organisational psychology training.

I will have a discussion with the clients, finding out exactly what they want, what they perceive any problems to be and what the future holds. I am then likely to survey and interview staff, on the nature of their jobs and whether they can see any potential for improvement. I establish the decision making process, general working methods, whether performance appraisal is in place, what development and training takes place, whether salaries are equitable, whether job descriptions reflect responsibilities, what the line management arrangements are, the nature and frequency of staff meetings and other forms of communication, whether any grievances or disciplinaries have taken place, what the sickness levels are. I interview board members or directors if appropriate too.

I then write a report setting out the findings and often making recommendations for changes in communication, structure and management, policies or working methods. If new areas of work are being developed, I clarify roles and responsibilities, line management arrangements, draw up job descriptions, person specifications and undertake job evaluations.