[ Hurdles ]

Organisations in the transport, infrastructure or engineering arena usually have several ‘services’ departments, such as Human Resources, Finance, Quality, and Risk/Safety.  These departments provide internal services to the main function of the business.  Sometimes they’re seen as a cost centre, while the operations departments are the profit centre.

Unfortunately, not only are they a cost centre, it seems these internal services departments also add hurdles to the business.  Perceived hurdles such as formal procedures, regular meetings, and more forms to fill out.  

They should rather be aiming to remove hurdles, so that the main function is efficient, standardised, and reliable.