Browsing through some old books, I came across the following extract from Beyond Bureaucracy by Derek Sheane – I think it’s as relevant to organisations today as they adapt and reinvent, as it was 40 years ago…

8 symptoms of bureaucratic breakdown:

1. The Invisible Decision – no transparency
2. Unfinished Business – too many outstanding tasks
3. Coordination Paralysis – check with everyone first
4. Nothing New – a general lack of initiative
5. Pseudo-Problems – focus on minor issues
6. Embattled Centre – controlling HQ
7. Negative Deadlines – deadline more important than quality
8. Input Domination – react to in-trays rather than takes the initiative