Task focussing: Organisational and procedural aspects

The topic of task focussing in public administration is a prominent focus of the current research programme at the National Institute for Public Administration (NIPAG). The hierarchical line structure of public administration is proving to be inadequate in the context of new, complex tasks. The complexity and multidimensionality of the tasks and problems faced by public administrations are increasing, and the solutions to these problems require considerable effort under the use of existing resources. The resolution and management of such tasks could be significantly enhanced by collaboration between different departments and domains (to varying degrees), for example by using matrix structures with adaptive teams. Despite the inherent challenges, a greater emphasis on task orientation appears to be essential for an effective and forward-looking public administration. In this multi-year research initiative, the NIPAG is assessing and collecting data on the successful implementation of task-oriented working methods.

(Publications are in German.)