Deck 25: Reengineering and Reduction-In-Force

Question 1

Reengineering is actually synonymous with both reorganizing and downsizing.

Answer 1

False

Question 2

"Modernizing" at one time inspired fear of technology as it was felt that this meant replacing people with machinery.

Answer 2

True

Question 3

Reengineering literally means engineering again, looking at the same desired outcome and determining how it is can be attained most efficiently.

Answer 3

True

Question 4

Central to reengineering is detailed analysis of the method by which some desired result is presently achieved.

Question 5

Consultants can often be valuable in reengineering because they bring the perspective of the outsider who is not committed to present methods.

Question 6

The survivors of a reduction-in-force are typically left to feel that they have diminishing control over their work circumstances.

Question 7

Development of an early-retirement option permits supervisors to select which specific employees to offer the option and which employees to retain.

Question 8

The fairest approach to a reduction-in-force and the best for overall efficiency is to cut every department or activity by the same percentage.

Question 9

One reason why some employees look to a union is that a union is better able than the organization to provide assurances of continued employment. .

Question 10

Before resorting to reduction-in-force, maximum effort should be expended to reduce staff through attrition and by freezing hiring wherever possible.

Question 11

The term "reengineering" evolved just as the basic intent of the process has itself evolved, that expressed intent being:

A) The reduction of the total number of employees in the organization.
B) To decrease costs, increase revenues, or improving operating efficiency by getting greater results from the same or less resources.
C) To remove layers of management from the structure and operate with fewer managers.
D) To study and refine the methods and procedures presently utilized.

Question 12

The principal barriers encountered in reengineering undertakings include:

A) The absence of rules and regulations needed to facilitate reengineering.
B) The effects of consultants and other outsiders on reengineering efforts.
C) Individual paradigms and perspectives through which participants' perceptions are narrowed.
D) The involvement of a multiplicity of skills and capabilities.

Question 13

Immediately following a reduction-in-force it is essential to:

A) Attempt to unite the survivors into a forward-moving team and to motivate them to work harder in this new situation.
B) Provide the survivors with assurances of continued employment.
C) Tell everyone who remains the specific reasons why certain people were released.
D) Move forward, behaving as though nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.

Question 14

An important concern of the individual supervisor following a reduction-in-force is likely to be:

A) Advising employees as soon as possible of how these recent changes will make their working lives easier.
B) The need to function as a strong advocate for the employees to achieve the best for those who remain.
C) Determining the new reporting relationships that inevitably emerge from such an action.
D) None of the above.

Question 15

A reduction-in-force in a healthcare organization involves a forced paradigm shift that affects employees by:

A) Causing them to fear for their jobs for the first time in their careers.
B) Encouraging some to seek outside support such as that of a labor union.
C) Causing them to produce less because of problems with morale and motivation.
D) All of the above.

Question 16

Reducing labor cost is probably the most common goal of organizational ______________.

Question 17

Following a reduction-in-force it is necessary to assist all remaining employees to become more ____________.

Question 18

A major barrier to reengineering is that present __________ distract us from an essential focus on desired outcomes.

Question 19

The prospect of a reduction-in-force causes some employees to view themselves as simply another ___________ of which the organization will henceforth purchase less.

Question 20

Preceding a reduction-in-force ___________should be severely curtailed, essentially reserved for true emergencies.

Question 21

The heart of any early retirement program consists of the criteria for determining who is or is not _________.