The Office of the Metro Auditor released an audit today that reviewed Metro’s organizational structure. The purpose of this audit was to determine the effect of a reorganization on the structure and to gain an understanding of personnel expenditures.
There are two measures that are used to measure the effectiveness and efficiency of an organizational structure: the ratio of managers to employees and the number of layers of management between the top and bottom of the organization. In 2008, Metro began an organizational improvement plan with the goal of making changes in three areas: staff training, management practices and organizational structure. Five of Metro’s departments were significantly restructured. This audit calculated these two measures before and after the reorganization to see if changes had occurred.
"Metro followed best practices in executing the organizational change and it achieved some of its goals.” Metro Auditor Suzanne Flynn said. “Upon comparison, though, the organizational structure was changed only minimally.”
After the audit’s examination of personnel expenditures, Auditor Flynn noted that this type of regular analysis by Metro could assist in controlling personnel costs.
“We are pleased with senior management’s response to this audit,” Auditor Flynn added, “Metro is improving its efforts to accurately calculate these measures and plans to review them on a regular basis.”
Copies of the audit may also be obtained by calling the Office of the Metro Auditor at 503-797-1892. The Metro Auditor will brief the Metro Council on Dec. 13.