Context
The Museum Foundation for Post and Telecommunications was founded in 1995 as part of the German postal reform and is a foundation under public law with direct federal funding. The Museum Foundation includes the Museums of Communication in Berlin, Frankfurt and Nuremberg and the Archive for Philately in Bonn. The range and quality of the collections are unique in Germany, as the holdings document the historical development of communication in all its facets. The Foundation's mission is to collect, research and present these diverse holdings with the aim of bringing the past, present and future of communication to life.
Since the foundation was established, the Museum Foundation for Post and Telecommunications has undergone several phases of structural and organisational change. Due to various challenges such as the financial situation or the effects of the coronavirus pandemic, actori was commissioned by the foundation to conduct an organisational review in order to identify optimisation levers and thus continue to position itself for the future.
Approach
The first step was a status quo analysis based on extensive data collection/review and participatory formats: In addition to internal data, e.g. on the organisational structure, processes and finances, around 20 interviews were conducted with Museum Foundation for Post and Telecommunications management and other stakeholders. A digital employee survey also included the workforce and their perspectives. A trend and best practice analysis illustrated the positioning of Museum Foundation for Post and Telecommunications in the field of international museums for post and communication.
As a result, actori identified fields of action for further investigation. In particular, the areas of digitalisation, third-party funding management and real estate were brought into focus.
Based on a detailed benchmark study of 11 comparable national museums, recommendations were identified in these three focus areas. Finally, actori developed concrete measures for adjustments to the organisational structure and personnel requirements and identified financial effects and potential. Finally, operational management tools and a time and action plan were drawn up to improve the implementation of the organisational study.
Added Value
By implementing the proposed measures, the Museum Foundation for Post and Telecommunications can improve its organisation and develop greater scope:
- Specific improvement measures were derived for the central areas of property management, third-party funding acquisition and digitalisation.
- Staffing levels for future operations were determined and earnings potential was identified.
- Interfaces can be optimised, areas relieved and processes positively changed.
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The project was realised by Michaela Herrmann, consulting and Amélie Strobel, project management.