Did you know the classic org chart is back in fashion? It’s back in fashion due to growth in connected products and services at a consumer and business level. The growth in internet and network connected products and services is forcing businesses to look seriously at the org chart and transform what they do, how they do it and most importantly who does it. Connected products and services (think internet-of-things) are forcing changes to business models and company structures. It’s time for a connected org chart.
For some time we have been working with clients that produce connected products, and by that we mean physical products (and software) that have sensors and controls, embedded software services etc. that use the internet to access cloud based services or transmit performance data back to a database or other system. Each of these businesses are having to contend with a radical shift in how products and services are developed, marketed, sold and managed. This means that:
Traditional structures and functional areas need to be redesigned.
Operational processes need to be changed to adapt to new ways of working.
Functional areas need to be highly collaborative rather than silo based.
ICT is no longer a support function, it is an enabling function.
A new set of skills and capabilities are needed.
Let me give you a behind the scenes peek at how each of these businesses achieved outstanding results by connecting their org chart:
The org chart was remodelled based on the products and services produced by the business.
The various management teams used the org chart to outline and communicate how each business function worked together.
Functional dependencies were clearly outlined, which meant that each team knew the impact on other teams if they didn’t meet their obligations.
The ICT function became a key contributor to research and development, which brought new insight and removed duplication across the business.
Business wide skills and competency requirements were assessed and development plans put in place to ensure continual development.
The org chart became a core part of the businesses knowledge base.
So as connected products and services continue to impact every business, it’s time to dust off your org chart, connect and transform it.
