System Design

Organizations are systems, and unless the parts of the system work with synergy, the system will falter, if not fail. Synergy is created by people in relationship with one another – how they communicate, partner, innovate, learn, capture knowledge, network, and engage with those inside and outside the system. The synergy that comes from properly designed systems is different from and supports the results achieved from carefully designed structure, which focuses on the “who” and “what” – the reporting relationships and the functions of those relationships. Systems design is a process that challenges the traditional or bureaucratic model that faces serious challenges from rapidly advancing technology and a global economy.

How does systems design work and how will the organization be different? Our consultants partner with organizational leaders to clarify purpose, design a system that will accomplish that purpose, and identify the resources and technologies that are needed to support the system in a highly competitive, technology-based world.

The emphasis is on collaboration, partnerships, teams, flexibility, quality, learning, and alignment with the values of the organization rather than the individual contributor, rules and policies, boundaries, and specialization. Systems design is concerned with shaping the organization for long-term success, as opposed to short-term comfort.