The Structural Functional Model

The structural functional approach tests the durability and flexibility of the organization's structure for responding to a diversity of situations and events.

According to this model, all systems need maintenance and continuity. The following aspects define this:

• security of the organization as whole in relation to the social forces in its environment (this relates to ability to forestall threatened aggressions or deleterious consequences from the actions of others);
• stability of lines of authority and communication (this refers to the continued capacity of leadership to control and have access to individuals in the system);
• stability of informal relations within the organization;
• continuity of policy making (this refers to the ability to reexamine policy an a continuing basis);
• homogeneity of outlook (this refers the ability to effectively orient members to organization norms and beliefs).

The Functional Model

In the functional approach an organization's effectiveness is determined by the social consequences of its activities.

The crucial question to be answered is: how well do the organization's activities serve the needs of its client groups?

The appraisal of an organization's effectiveness should consider whether these activities are function or dysfunctions in fulling the organization's goals.

These seven models have their strengths and shortcomings depending upon the organizational situation being evaluated. The choice of evaluation approach usually hinges on the organizational situation that needs to be addressed.