Have an uncomplicated department structure. Organizations with lean and uncomplicated structures are generally productive. Departments within the larger organization should also be lean and uncomplicated. A lean department is one in which there is a minimum of nonessential func¬tions and employees. (Figuratively, the “fat” has been trimmed from the department.) An uncomplicated department structure can be achieved by eliminating such positions as an assistant to the supervisor or group lead¬ers. In some cases these jobs overlap considerably with the supervisor’s job. Another way to achieve leanness is to make sure that each employee within the department has a clear-cut job to perform. Employees without specific job duties are often unproductive. An assistant assigned to a city agency complained that he felt underutilized. When asked about the na¬ture of his job he replied, “I float in and out of the department. Each day I come to work I ask if anybody needs help. Sometimes I get plenty of work to do. Other times I either do busy work or twiddle my thumbs.”
