Organizational Re-design: Notable Case Studies For Inspiration

Presented By Ammar Sabzwari

Picture: http://www.fedtechmagazine.com/article/2014/10/govconnect-makes-employee-passion-projects-reality

Organizational Design

The method to set up an organization (employees,

information and technologies) to best meet your objectives

Pictures: www.referenceforbusiness.com; Information Source: http://www.canadabusiness.ca/eng/page/2833/

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PurposeStrategy

Division of labourAuthority, responsibility and control

CommunicationCoordination

Key Considerations

Notable Organizational Design Case Studies For Guidance

Picture: Google Images

Case Study 1) Pixar

Pixar’s Operating Principles

1. Everyone must have the freedom to communicate with anyone

2. It must be safe for everyone to offer ideas

3. Stay close to innovation happening in the academic community

Picture: http:/www.pixartimes.com

5Source: https://hbr.org/2008/09/how-pixar-fosters-collective-creativity

Case Study 2) Disney

Process-Based Structure:

1. Story idea to film release

2. All staff support this work flow

3. Staff: telecommute, virtual, outsourced, contract and salary

4. Idea-based business: process driven vs hierarchical structure

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Picture: http:/www.inc.com

Source: http://www.atissuejournal.com/2009/08/07/walt-disney%E2%80%99s-creative-organization-chart/

Case Study 3) Atlassian Software

In-office Innovation Policy:

1. 20% of time to work on own ideas, but should reflect back into core of product

2. Ship-It Day: Every quarter, employees work on anything related to products, and deliver it in 24 hours

3. Projects based on Daniel Pink’s theory on motivation

7Source: https://www.atlassian.com/company/about/shipit;

Picture: https://www.atlassian.com/company/about/shipit

What motivates people most in their jobs:

autonomy, mastery, and purpose

Case Study 4) Hootsuite

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PICTURE: blog.yellowdoggdesigns.com

Projects For Unleashing Creativity:

1. In-office time to explore ideas and passion projects

2. Skunkworks: Innovation lab where small group given independence to research and develop projects

3. Hackathons: Set time for employees to run with best ideas, in line with mission and work commitments

Source: http://blog.hootsuite.com/

Case Study 5) Xerox

Key Principles:

1. When evaluating innovation projects, do not immediately rule out ideas outside current strategies, clients, or core

2. Ask if an innovation might be more valuable to a non-competing outsider

3. Find partners for non-core innovation for greatest value

4. Give innovators freedom to enable breakthroughs

5. Re-envision or expand core to leverage innovation

9Source: www.innovationexcellence.com

PICTURE: http://www.15inno.com/

Case Study 6) Whirlpool

Structured Ideas, Not Brainstorming

1. Innovation: management system organizes, structures, plans, makes predictable when possible

2. Process: Idea generation, business case, competition for development, test, rollout

3. Idea labs: Structured sessions with significant research and post-development required

4. Gatekeepers for human and dollar capital with measurement criteria applied

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PICTURE: www.managementexchange.com

Source: http://www.managementexchange.com/story/inside-whirlpools-innovation-machine

Case Study 7) Google

Google 80:20 Rule

1. 80/20 Rule: 80% core work, 20 % new projects possibly related to core or new ideas of interest

2. Advantages: Invested in mission and success; sanctions time for innovation

3. Criticism: Limited new revenue streams; workload balance; risk to profit and efficiency

4. Needs resources, operational/ functional support and buy-in

5. 20% now narrowed in scope (ex. Google X)

PICTURES: http:/www.ideo.com; http://outsideinmarketing.wordpress.com

11Source: http://smallbusiness.chron.com/; http://www.wired.com/; http://www.fastcompany.com/

Case Study 8) 3M

Originator of the 15% Rule

1. Core belief: creativity needs freedom. Encourages 15% of work on own projects (1948).

2. Build a unique team, follow insights, problem solve

3. 2X a year, 6-8 ideas receive Genesis Grants of seed money for research

4. Informal, bottom-up scientific percolation seen as leading to success

PICTURES: http://solutions.3m.com/innovation

12Source: http://archive.wired.com/techbiz/media/news/1998/01/9858

Case Study 9) GovConnect

US Government Pilot Based On Google 80/20

1. 12 agencies will launch pilot in 2015 after running internal pilots over the last six months

2. GovConnect: Will connect agencies with each other

3. GovProject: Micro projects with 20% time. Employees apply and managers select teams (3 weeks to 3 months)

4. GovStart: Promotes innovative projects designed by employees to help them in their work

5. GovCloud: Provides agencies access to employee skill sets that exist in the cloud based on expertise needs

13Source: http://www.fedtechmagazine.com/article/2014/10/govconnect-makes-employee-passion-projects-reality

Pictures: http://www.fedtechmagazine.com/; www.usa.gov

“The secret of all victory lies in the organization of the non-obvious”-Marcus Aurelius

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