How does management by exception work in public administration?

In the context of public administration, management by exception is a structural principle designed to enhance organizational efficiency by streamlining decision-making processes.1

Under this approach, routine operations and standard tasks are handled at lower levels of the hierarchy according to established protocols. Only significant deviations from expected results, unusual problems, or exceptional cases are escalated to higher-level supervisors or top management for consideration and final decision.21

By filtering out routine matters, this method allows leadership to focus their attention and authority on critical issues that require high-level intervention, thereby preventing the "bottlenecking" of administrative processes. While this principle is a classic tool for maintaining control and ensuring economy and efficiency, critics note that its effectiveness can vary depending on the specific organizational context and the nature of the problems being addressed.21