Head of OrgMapper | Labs
The sections below set out the relevant business benefits, conditions, and costs for a potential project / or series of projects. In case of initial interest declared, a Syndicate Agreement is foreseen as proper legal groundwork for multiple partnership projects.
In the context of emerging agile working practices, there is a common understanding the multi-dimensional networks are the foundations of future organizations. Yet often there is little direct relationship between actual network patterns and organizational design. The core dilemma is this: it is relatively easy to map ‘as-is’ networks and visualise them, however there is little support to define scientifically the ‘to-be’ network structures that support the business best in a given business context.
Shall we build organizational structures matching existing networks, on the basis of “follow the good practice”? Or shall we design new structures to break silos as much as possible? Or find a gold midway, by balancing between the two? If so, how? Based on the leader’s insights? Checking industry practices? Better listening to clients? After reviewing contemporary literature, relevant practitioners’ insights and available business reports, there is no clear answer – hence leading-edge organizations should do their own experimentation to gain insights specific to their own business.
Create a practice tested, proprietary framework, helping participating organizations to create better professional networks on three levels:
Adopting a co-creation, innovative pilot approach with innovative, experiential minded, bold organizations, offer a chance to test advanced network science and analytical methods in practice. This offers short term benefits in solving existing business problems – mainly agility and innovation enhancement – and provides insights and learnings essential to share broader org design practices.
A purpose built partnership among leading analytics firms, innovation consultants or academics, org design practitioners and business stakeholders could offer value for all stakeholders.
The project is to be run in 3-5 weeks sprints, following agile project methodology. The overall plan is to be agreed in Project Charter, but detailed plans are to be made only for the actual running module. Overall project duration is 2-5 months, depending on the size and complexity of the pilot
The project requires strict confidentiality, in line with participating organizations standard NDA approaches. No exclusive rights on intellectual property / patents generated by the project. Publishing results is conditional of other consortia member’s preliminary written approval.
Considering the experiential nature of the project, it is expected that all participating organizations / individuals are engaged in cost reimbursement basis. This allows them to reimburse all reasonable costs, on time and material basis related to the project, but no profits. Cost estimates should be submitted in advance, to be reviewed and approved by the Project Steering Committee. The aggregation of initial cost estimates comprises the budget for the project, to be sponsored by the beneficiary organization. Changes to initially agreed cost structures are allowed only by Steering Committee approval.
