management

Insuperordination

In designing management-structures, why is it so often assumed that responsibility-relationships only go one way? Our organisations often place enormous attention on insubordination, a refusal or failure to follow ‘orders from above’; yet why don’t they place the same level of attention…

How not to use IT in services

Several people picked up on this one after Gerold Kathan sent out a note about it, but perhaps David Sprott said it the best: davidsprott: RT @gkathan: John Seddon – a master class in how NOT to use IT in services. Optimize…

Rethinking the architecture of management

Why is management the way that it is? Does it work well that way? And what part does the architecture of management play in determining how well it does or doesn’t work? (This is probably another politically-risky post for me to play…

We call that government

I was reading this post about QANTAS having to stop on the way from Dallas to Brisbane to refuel several times since starting the "nonstop" service. The service is "direct" from DFW to Sydney - which in the strained parlance of the…

We call that government

I was reading this post about QANTAS having to stop on the way from Dallas to Brisbane to refuel several times since starting the "nonstop" service. The service is "direct" from DFW to Sydney - which in the strained parlance of the…

Org Charts and Architecture Management

Every organization has one. For some, it can lead directly to a path of enlightenment. Others may use its rigid structure to create an impenetrable fortress of strength. For the unfortunate, it becomes an inescapable labyrinth of hopelessness. Yes, it’s the org…

Principles and Implications

I’ve been doing some work recently on architecture principles and their associated implications. According to TOGAF 9′s documentation on architecture principles, implications “should highlight the requirements, both for the business and IT, for carrying out the principle – in terms of resources,…

Fight inertia and resurrect entrepreneurs

All organizations at some time in their history have experimented, gained knowledge, and operationalized it – experimentation is synonymous with entrepreneurialism. Entrepreneurs test many theories as they launch an idea. They are not afraid of making errors and learning from their mistakes.…
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