Discovering and describing organizational goal conflict

A novel strategy for discovering and describing organizational goals and goal conflicts is presented. The procedure represents an integration of two alternative approaches that have been presumed incompatible: (a) a rank ordering of organizational goals on the basis of their relative importance, and (b) an active dormant or sequential view of organizational goals. Advantages and disadvantages associated with each of these approaches are assessed, and the manner and value of combining the two strategies into a single procedure are demonstrated. Utilities of this integrated procedure for planning, policy setting, and implementation are discussed, and it is concluded that adoption of the procedure would help administrators manage and stimulate more productive human services agencies.