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THE PRoductivity trap
This is the third of the series Capability Under Pressure.
Many organisations are trying to improve productivity.
Yet despite significant effort, people often describe work as becoming harder rather than easier.
Teams are busier.
Calendars are fuller.
People are working longer hours.
And still, organisations frequently report concerns about performance, delivery timeframes and workforce pressure.
This raises an important question:
If people are working harder, why aren't outcomes improving at the same rate?
NZATD believes one reason is that productivity challenges are often misunderstood.
Many organisations focus on what people are doing.
Fewer examine how work is actually flowing through the organisation.
The original NZATD Perspective research identified a pattern that it described as a productivity trap; a situation where effort continues to increase but results remain static because capability, clarity and support are not keeping pace with organisational demands.
What We're Seeing
Think about a manager reviewing a piece of work before it goes out.
A small change is needed.
It only takes a few minutes.
Later that day, another correction is required.
Then another.
By the end of the week, several hours have been spent fixing work that should have been completed correctly the first time.
Nothing appears seriously wrong.
The organisation is still operating.
Deadlines are mostly being met.
Work is still getting done.
But small inefficiencies are quietly accumulating throughout the system.
Many employees describe similar experiences:
- Repeating work because expectations were unclear.
- Attending meetings to clarify previous meetings.
- Searching for information that should be easy to find.
- Waiting for decisions because ownership is unclear.
- Escalating routine issues that should be resolved locally.
Individually, these issues appear minor.
Collectively, they create drag.
Work becomes slower.
Effort increases.
People feel busier.
Results often remain unchanged.
What The Evidence Says
The original Perspective research suggested that productivity challenges are rarely caused by a single failure point. Instead, they often emerge through accumulated inefficiencies such as unclear ownership, rework, delays and increasing reliance on experienced staff to intervene when things go wrong.
The research also highlighted a common pattern:
As organisations experience pressure, people attempt to compensate.
They work longer hours.
They take fewer breaks.
They become more cautious.
Managers become increasingly involved in operational problem-solving.
While these actions are often well-intentioned, they can create additional inefficiencies over time.
Rather than improving productivity, organisations may find themselves working harder simply to maintain existing performance levels.
The challenge becomes particularly significant during periods of organisational change when responsibilities shift but capability development does not always keep pace.
NZATD's Perspective
NZATD believes productivity should not be viewed solely as an output measure.
It should also be viewed as a capability measure.
When organisations discuss productivity, conversations often focus on:
- Performance targets
- Workload
- Technology
- Efficiency initiatives
These are important.
However, they rarely address a fundamental question:
Do people have the capability, clarity and support they need to perform effectively?
Capability influences productivity in many ways.
It helps people make better decisions.
It reduces variation in how work is performed.
It improves confidence when working through unfamiliar situations.
It creates greater consistency across teams.
Most importantly, it reduces unnecessary rework.
Learning and Development plays an important role in this process.
At its best, L&D is not about delivering more training.
It is about helping organisations create environments where good performance becomes easier to achieve.
That may include:
- Clarifying expectations
- Creating consistent processes
- Supporting knowledge sharing
- Developing problem-solving capability
- Building confidence and adaptability
NZATD believes many productivity challenges cannot be solved simply by asking people to work harder.
They are solved by making it easier for people to work effectively.
Questions for Leaders
As organisations continue seeking productivity improvements, NZATD encourages leaders to consider:
- Where is rework occurring within our organisation?
- What activities consume significant time without creating value?
- How often are managers acting as quality control systems?
- Are employees clear about expectations, roles and decision-making responsibilities?
- What capability investments could remove friction from everyday work?
Join the Discussion
This article is the third in the Capability Under Pressure series, where NZATD explores issues shaping the future of learning, capability and work in Aotearoa.
We would love to hear your perspective - join us on LinkedIn.
What is the biggest source of productivity drag in your organisation today?
- Rework and correction
- Unclear ownership
- Information overload
- Too many meetings
- Skills and capability gaps
- Something else
Next Perspective: AI, Efficiency and the Capability Myth – Why technology may be increasing the need for capability rather than reducing it.