The objective is extrinsic as well as intrinsic. Extrinsically, design integrates matter with space around. Intrinsically, it balances duality for harmony and quality of life.
Organisation design too, need to integrate internal culture and community needs to respective larger culture and community around within which it operates. often we see demographic cultural norms influencing leadership values and unwritten norms and practices. Decision levels in an organisation hierarchy cannot overlook such norms even if impacts say member rights in an apex Governance forum. This impacts communication channels, teams/working units, mental blocks, shared values, reporting channels and behaviours.
Intrinsically, an effective design also need to address the duality that we see, experience in any organisation in a more meaningful, positive way, to inspire and get inspired to do activities to enhance those very same basic elements that form or support such a design.
Decision making rules ( eg an approved document of table of authority)/forums need to recognise decision making act as well. In more clear terms does the apex decision making authority recognises demographic differentiators, their needs be it gender or community. The constitution of the Board, its sub committes, membership and norms that govern the selection into these apex decision making forums have a significant influence to organisation design at all levels that report into such an apex forum. like a membership norm that irons out the gender duality can enhance execution agility of functional strategies.
People are often compelled to perform or motivated by role models. However assumptions and biasnesses can cover real potential of such role models. work schedule designs that overlook the individual goals and aspirations of a 'new mother' is a classic example. At times it takes a woman CEO to rewrite the performance standards for working woman who has attained new motherhood. Organisation design need to address the need to balance the duality.
On the hardware side too: the nervous system of an organisation design, information flow, is also equally vital. An effective design need to built in technology networks that can seamlessly integrate right information to right people at the right time in a secure, respectful, encouraging, without breaching individual privacy rights; to have conversations, collaborations at personal levels that can immensely flatten organisational hierarchy and reduce the number of levels.
In fact the design need to respect and reflect the organisation leadership intent. Create an environment that is seamlessly integrated to needs of your customers, near and away, provides equal opportunities, good place to work for. It is a balancing act. Like life..
