Automation & Workflows
Algorithmic management
Using software to assign, monitor or check people's work.
Example
A delivery platform allocates jobs and calculates performance ratings.
Why people use it
It can coordinate large amounts of work without a manager assigning every step manually.
What you'll hear
“The app decides which job I get next.”
What this means for you
Ask how decisions can be explained, corrected or challenged.
Can you control it?
Sometimes
Sometimes. Your choices depend on the tool and your access. The settings available to an everyday user may differ from those available to the people running it.
Common questions
- Does algorithmic management always involve machine learning?
- No. Fixed rules can manage work too, although AI may be included.
- Can a worker challenge an automated rating?
- That depends on the workplace's process and relevant rules. A clear review route should be available.
- Does tracking more activity mean measuring better work?
- No. Visible activity, such as clicks, can miss the quality or difficulty of the work.