Alternate Methodologies

Yesterday's post dealt with the matter of style versus substance when it comes to disciplining an employee who doesn't do the job the boss's way (has a different style) but does deliver the job in a way that meets the boss's performance parameters (achieves the job substance). You may want to read that post first.

Some people argue that there may be very good reasons for doing a job a certain way, reasons that go far beyond a boss's preference. Reasons such as standard operating procedures, company rules and guidelines, industry accepted best practices, and "customer approved" procedures. Certainly those are good and valid reasons for doing a job a certain way. But if an employee has found a methodology that meets all job requirements in terms of quality, productivity and other relevant measures then perhaps it is time to take another look at those procedures, rules, guidelines, best practices, and customer requirements.

Recognize that alternate methodologies can be found in many highly structured and strictly regulated environments. Indeed, both the ISO and QS systems for procedure control allow for alternate methodologies as long as those methodologies were properly qualified under the applicable ISO or QS system. Indeed, GAAP (generally accepted accounting practices) which regulate and control financial reporting practices allow for alternate methodologies in such areas as a LIFO to FIFO inventory conversion, and in converting accrual basis bookkeeping to cash basis reporting. And, if the customer agrees, even "customer approved" procedures can be changed to accept alternate methodologies.

Alternate methodologies allow employees the freedom to do the job the way the employees want to do the job, provided that the employees do follow an approved alternate methodology. When employees get to do the work the way they like to do it, chances are you may end up with even better than standard performance and quality.

About me: Before becoming a full time educator, my career experiences included being vice president of a consulting firm, vice president - finance of a publishing company, vice president - sales support services for a manufacturing company and vice president - operations for a distribution company. As a full time educator working principally in Rhode Island (RI), Connecticut (CT) and Massachusetts (MA), I am pleased to have an opportunity to share my experiences and business philosophies with managers at all levels.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel W. Pelley
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