This paper examines organisational work procedures as an important efficiency driver in the public sector. Using expositions in literature and drawing from some of the findings from a recent organisational policy and procedures review project, the paper examines the potential role that organisational procedures can play in service efficiency. The paper begins with an assessment of the scientific management concepts of work and efficiency against issues of equity and public value. The aim is to first, investigate the influence of these views in public administration as practiced in South Africa today; second, encourage greater interest in organisational work procedures as a credible research and practice area of Public Administration and third, engage the importance of an efficiency focused service delivery given the growing demands for services in South Africa. Literature and the review project findings indicate that organisational w