Dear Learner,
The report on the various components of POSDCORB in a fieldwork agency is an essential academic requirement for courses like MSW, Sociology, and other related disciplines. It is highly recommended that each student prepares this report independently to gain a deeper understanding of organizational functions through firsthand experience.
To support your efforts, we are providing a sample report titled “Application of POSDCORB in a Fieldwork Agency.” This example is structured within a 2000-word limit and demonstrates how each element of POSDCORB—Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting—is applied in a real fieldwork agency setting.
Use this sample as a guide to develop your own observations and analysis.
Title: Application of POSDCORB in a Fieldwork Agency
Introduction
The term POSDCORB was introduced by Luther Gulick to describe the functions of a manager in an organization. It stands for Planning, Organizing, Staffing, Directing, Coordinating, Reporting, and Budgeting. These seven components are fundamental in the field of public administration and are widely applicable in both government and non-governmental organizations.
This report explores the application of POSDCORB within a fieldwork agency—Aarohan Rural Development Organization (ARDO)—a non-governmental organization working for rural development and community empowerment in Assam. The report is based on my observation and interaction during a week-long fieldwork program at the agency’s local office and project sites.
1. Planning
Definition: Planning involves setting goals, defining strategies, and outlining the tasks and schedules to achieve the objectives.
Observation in ARDO:
The planning process at ARDO is participatory and involves input from all levels, including field staff and community representatives. Strategic plans are developed annually, focusing on areas such as education, sanitation, women’s empowerment, and agricultural development. Weekly meetings are held to plan upcoming activities and distribute responsibilities.
Example:
Before launching a water sanitation project in a village, the team conducted a needs assessment, community consultations, and resource mapping. Based on the findings, they created a detailed action plan including timelines and roles.
2. Organizing
Definition: Organizing refers to the arrangement of resources (human, financial, and material) to carry out the plans effectively.
Observation in ARDO:
The organization has a well-defined hierarchical structure. The director oversees all activities, supported by project coordinators, field supervisors, and volunteers. Tasks are delegated based on expertise, and proper documentation is maintained.
Example:
For a health awareness campaign, responsibilities were organized into content creation, logistics, community mobilization, and reporting—assigned to different teams accordingly.
3. Staffing
Definition: Staffing involves recruiting, training, and retaining suitable personnel for the organization.
Observation in ARDO:
Staff recruitment is merit-based and inclusive, with preference given to candidates from local communities. Regular training sessions are conducted on project management, social work ethics, and technical skills.
Example:
New volunteers undergo a two-day induction training followed by monthly review meetings and skill development workshops.
Challenges:
Staff retention in remote areas remains difficult, especially for skilled professionals, due to limited amenities.
4. Directing
Definition: Directing refers to leading, guiding, and motivating employees to achieve the organization’s objectives.
Observation in ARDO:
Leadership in ARDO is supportive and goal-oriented. Supervisors maintain regular communication with the field staff and use motivation techniques like recognition, appreciation, and participatory decision-making.
Example:
During a difficult flood relief operation, the project coordinator led by example, working alongside the team in harsh conditions. This boosted morale and team cohesion.
Learning Point:
Empathetic and present leadership enhances field team performance significantly.
5. Coordinating
Definition: Coordination ensures that different departments and team members work in harmony towards shared goals.
Observation in ARDO:
Coordination is maintained through regular meetings, WhatsApp groups, and shared documentation platforms. Inter-departmental collaboration is encouraged, especially in multi-sectoral projects.
Example:
In a livelihood program for women, the education, finance, and training teams coordinated to deliver skills training, manage micro-loans, and monitor progress.
Challenges:
Occasional delays in communication lead to confusion, particularly when multiple projects overlap.
6. Reporting
Definition: Reporting involves maintaining records and updating stakeholders about progress, achievements, and challenges.
Observation in ARDO:
The agency maintains detailed field reports, monthly progress summaries, and annual reports. Field workers submit weekly updates to supervisors, who compile them for higher-level reporting.
Example:
After a sanitation drive, the team submitted a report with community feedback, attendance, photographs, and budget details. This helped in assessing the program’s impact and preparing for scale-up.
Tools Used:
Google Sheets, printed formats, and photographic evidence are used for effective documentation.
7. Budgeting
Definition: Budgeting involves estimating financial requirements, allocating resources, and tracking expenditures.
Observation in ARDO:
Each project has a pre-approved budget based on donor guidelines. Financial planning is done quarterly. The finance officer manages records and ensures compliance with funding requirements.
Example:
For a nutrition program, the budget was allocated to cover food supplies, staff salaries, transport, and awareness materials. Expenses were tracked and reviewed monthly.
Transparency Measures:
Expenditure details are made available for audit and shared with community representatives to ensure accountability.
Analysis and Interpretation
The fieldwork experience demonstrated that POSDCORB remains highly relevant in the management of fieldwork agencies. Each element is interconnected—effective planning supports organization, and good staffing leads to better coordination and reporting. ARDO’s ability to adapt these principles in rural settings showcases a model of efficient, community-focused management.
Some areas, like coordination and staff retention, require ongoing improvement. However, the overall structure allows the agency to deliver impactful programs even with limited resources.
Challenges Observed
- Communication breakdowns due to poor network connectivity.
- Staff burnout in long-term projects with high workloads.
- Bureaucratic delays in fund disbursement from donors.
Learning Outcomes
- Practical understanding of organizational management through the POSDCORB lens.
- Improved ability to observe and analyze institutional functioning.
- Learned the importance of soft skills like leadership, empathy, and coordination in fieldwork settings.
- Gained respect for the complexity of grassroots development work.
Conclusion
POSDCORB is not just a theoretical framework—it is a practical tool that shapes the daily functioning of organizations like ARDO. Observing it in action during fieldwork gave me valuable insight into the real-world application of administrative principles. It reinforced the importance of structured planning, effective leadership, teamwork, and accountability in achieving organizational goals.
As future social workers, administrators, or development professionals, understanding POSDCORB equips us with a foundational model to evaluate and improve organizational effectiveness in any field setting.
Read also- KKHSOU Notes
