Flexible Organizational Structure

The following concepts are based on FEMA’s Incident Command System (ICS). It was originated by the military and adopted by FEMA. The advantage is that only those sections needed to respond need to be stood up. That allows for a flexible structure that expands and contracts to meet the needs of the organization. ICS is also used to manage large events. Here are some basic lessons that can be applied to any small business or nonprofit.

Resources refer to equipment, facilities, and personnel. A resource is virtually anything that is needed to conduct business. There are four broad categories that define the ICS structure. The operations section includes personnel that carry out the work. The logistics department supports the other sections. They obtain equipment, food, lodging and anything else required to do the job. The planning section plans the work.

The finance and administration section sets the budget, includes procurement activities and tracks hours, compensation and benefits. To learn more go to http://training.fema.gov/IS/crslist.aspx

Now that a flexible organizational structure is clear, the next series of posts will be on setting up resource sharing agreements. This concept is also from FEMA. Refer to FEMA IS 703 in the preceding link to FEMA courses for more information on this topic.