Herstruktuur

Herstruktuur is a term used to describe the process of reorganizing a system, organization, or set of procedures to improve efficiency, adaptability, or resilience. The term is most commonly encountered in Dutch and related languages as a variant of restructuring (herstructurering) and is used to discuss deliberate changes to structure, roles, and workflows rather than to incidental reorganizations.

In practice, a herstruktuur project may involve redesigning the organizational chart, redefining functions and reporting lines, reengineering processes, updating governance mechanisms, and sometimes altering technology architectures or physical layouts. The aim is to align structure with strategy, eliminate duplication, shorten decision cycles, and enable scalable performance in changing external conditions.

The process typically follows phases such as diagnostic assessment, design of the new structure, implementation including change management and communication, and post-implementation evaluation. Key drivers include cost pressure, mergers or divestitures, regulatory changes, digital transformation, and the need to improve service delivery.

Risks include disruption to operations, loss of critical knowledge, employee resistance, and unintended fragmentation of processes. Successful herstruktuur efforts rely on clear objectives, inclusive stakeholder involvement, adequate resourcing, and careful change management. Metrics used to judge success often include cost savings, cycle times, productivity, service quality, and employee engagement.

Related concepts include organizational design, change management, and process reengineering. While the term may be specific to certain languages, the underlying ideas are widely applied in corporate, public sector, and non-profit contexts as a means to create a more coherent, agile, and sustainable structure.