Does IT operate better within a mechanistic or organic structure and why?

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<p>Do IT departments have a standard operation style that works better for them? What&rsquo;s the difference between mechanistic and organic structures, and does one work better than the other?</p> <br /><p>The BizFluent website defines the styles thus: &ldquo;Some businesses are more suited to a hierarchical structure that adheres to rigid guidelines and procedures, while others benefit greatly from a structure that allows for free-flowing ideas and linear communication styles. The mechanistic organizational structure uses a top-down approach to management, while organic organizational structure uses a more flexible management style.&rdquo;</p> <br /><p>Based on these definitions, it seems like most IT departments would benefit most from following a more organic structure. The mechanistic structure is stricter and strongly delineates levels of management, enforced standard operating procedures, and routines.</p> <br /><p>Here&rsquo;s what BCOpenCampus has to say: &ldquo;In contrast, an organic bureaucratic structure relies on the ability of people to self-organize and make decisions without much direction such that they can adapt quickly to changing circumstances. In an organic organization, it is common to see a horizontal organizational structure, in which many individuals across the whole system are empowered to make organizational decisions. An organization with a horizontal structure is also known as a flat organization because it often features only a few levels of organizational hierarchy.&rdquo;</p> <br /><p>With this in mind, IT departments deal with situations and technology that can change rapidly &ndash; more so than many other departments. Whatever flexibility they can use for operations is probably going to benefit IT departments more than trying to follow a stricter mechanistic formula.</p>