Leavitt's Model

Background

Harold J Leavitt developed Leavitt's diamond model in 1965.

Today it is one of the most widely used models to get an overview of, how an organizational change will be most effective.

About the model

The model has four components, these are:

•Tasks – also sometimes called goals

•Structure

•Technology

•People – also sometimes called employees

These four components are distinct from each other, but at the same time, there is an interaction between them.

The four components make up the entire organization.

The surroundings can of course also affect the organization and thereby the individual components.

Explanation of each of the four components

• Tasks

Their task is to deliver goods and services to the people. For that purpose we are paying taxes.

• Structure

The formal patterns such as the organization of labor.

• Technology

Is actually a slightly misleading term - it's beyond information technology

-Also buildings 

-Refurbishment of premises

-the machines that are in the organization and the associated workflows.

You could say that it is about both hardware and software - as it also deals with the IT programs, which today is everywhere.

• People

also often called employees

Overall, it is the people associated with the organization in such a high degree that they are part of the organization's culture.

Using the model

You can benefit from using Leavitt's model.

Imagine that you are a leader - who must have your organization to work optimally.

It requires that you continually make adjustments, since there always occur changes somewhere in the organization. 

These can come from surroundings as well as from within the organization.

You must imagine that you are standing in the middle of the model and is a form of agent of change you must balance the organization you must take care of the changes in each of the components and how this affects the other components.

Criticism of the model

The model does not take into account, that there are more changes in progress at the same time.

However, it is recommended to use the model, so you do not forget a component.