The real challenge of organization design

In organization design projects, it’s essential to address both structural elements (accountabilities, roles, reporting lines) and dynamic elements (coordination mechanisms, processes, routines, and meetings).

Once these are defined, the real challenge begins: implementation. People are often uncertain how to act in new roles and how to apply new behaviors in day-to-day work. This is where design alone is insufficient.

To make the change stick, you need to be in the trenches with the organization by supporting leaders and teams, helping them make decisions, and doing part of the heavy lifting alongside them. What looks coherent and elegant on paper quickly becomes more nuanced in real operations.

Remember: organization design is roughly 20% of the effort, while implementation is the remaining 80%.