Task criticism
Under task review means checking one of the public administration so far perceived task under the question,
- whether the task has to be performed at all, in part or not at all and
- whether the way the task is performed is appropriate and economical.
Task criticism is listed in the coalition agreement of the Merkel II cabinet (17th legislative period) as a basic measure for the thorough modernization of the federal administration .
Task criticism is also an instrument of administrative modernization in the federal states. It is the central approach in the law on goals and specifications for the modernization of the state administration (VerwModG) in Brandenburg .
task
As a task is
- every request to the administration,
- repeated
- to act in the same way,
Roger that. One-off activities (e.g. projects) do not count as a task in the sense of this definition, unless the request is aimed at the repeated performance of one-off activities.
The invitation to take action can be contained in a legal regulation (mandatory tasks). It can, however, also consist of a specification of the political or administrative management of the administration (voluntary tasks).
The "task" differs from an individual activity in that the task completion describes a business process that can be composed of different activities. It is also characteristic that there is an input (use of resources) and an output (result or product).
Purpose and enforcement criticism
Task criticism is classically understood as a generic term for purpose criticism (the “if” of the task and who is performing it) and execution criticism, with the latter also known as business process analysis. Task criticism, which can be carried out by strategic controlling , must be repeated at regular intervals; in particular, it should be mandatory before cost-causing measures are taken, e.g. B. before a business process is digitized. Task criticism means questioning in all directions, so it can also result in the need to use more resources.
Purpose criticism is an often neglected part of task criticism, which, however, promises a high potential for savings and which opens the way to prioritizing tasks with limited resources . While business process optimization (implementation critique) saves resources that result from shortening or streamlining a process, the purpose critique questions the task and thus the entire process as to its necessity.
The results of a purpose critique can be:
- Complete suspension of the task
- Partial setting
- Relocation of the task to another, internal authority
- Relocation of the task to an external authority ( outsourcing )
- Expansion of the task
Mixing results such as B. partial cessation of a task and subsequent outsourcing.
Systematic process
In order to distinguish task criticism from other processes of reorganization or the introduction of new work techniques and methods in administration, it must be embedded in a systematic process.
Such a process is given when z. B. all tasks of an authority are recorded, sorted and specifically examined with regard to their business processes.
A particular challenge when recording tasks is the depth of recording. If tasks are recorded in a complete administrative area, it is regularly necessary to control the depth of recording centrally.
The process can be organized top-down or bottom-up . In a top-down process, the decisive impulses come from the executives. In contrast, a bottom-up process starts with the employees.
Critique of task criticism
Task criticism and downsizing
Often task criticism is linked with the goal of saving resources. In particular, the downsizing of personnel should often be supported by task-critical processes.
However, this does not work or works only to a very limited extent. Employees in the public service are also not expected to make their own workplaces or posts available. Managers define their function using the "leadership" feature. Task criticism can lead to your managerial functions being restricted or completely omitted.
Task-critical processes can be more successful if, after the political setting of savings targets, they are geared towards avoiding unreasonable intensification of work for employees.
Task criticism and politics
Task criticism is ultimately a political process. The complete deletion of tasks requires the participation of the legislature, at least in the case of legally anchored compulsory tasks.
MEPs often demand abstract task criticism, but when it comes to concrete proposals, lobbying interests often prevail in parliaments. This also applies to the intensity of the performance of tasks or the manner in which they are carried out (critique of enforcement).
Task-critical processes also suffer from the fact that the "buck" is pushed back and forth. Politicians expect proposals from the administration as to which tasks can be omitted or how the task execution could be made more efficient. Conversely, the administration demands signals from politicians to finally say where to start criticizing the task.