Role Overload and New Responsibilities

Role Overload and New Responsibilities

Managing the transition to new ways of working

Role Strain During Transition

  • Existing staff take on new responsibilities
  • Dual roles during implementation phase
  • Learning curve for new practices
  • Example: Chief physician as Business Owner while maintaining clinical duties

Scope Expansion

  • Project managers becoming RTEs with broader scope
  • IT specialists now part of cross-functional teams
  • Clinical staff adding digital transformation responsibilities
  • Middle managers transitioning to servant leadership

Staffing Implications

  • Need to staff roles sustainably
  • Potential need for additional capacity
  • Correct role definition critical for success
  • Inadequate staffing leads to relapse into old patterns

Transition Strategies

  • External agile coaches to temporarily fill gaps
  • Mentoring for internal role holders
  • Gradual transition of responsibilities
  • Clear role expectations and time allocations

Long-term Solutions

  • Firm organizational anchoring of SAFe roles
  • Sufficient time allocation in role descriptions
  • Organizational restructuring where necessary
  • Skills development pathways
  • Communities of practice for role-based learning

"Role transitions require careful planning and support. Organizations must recognize that new ways of working demand changes to job descriptions, responsibilities, and organizational structures."

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