Integrating Program Management and Systems Engineering

9THE ORGANIZATIONAL ENVIRONMENT

9.1 Introduction

Organizational structures, behaviors, and norms shape how program participants work and interact with each other and determine the nature of relationships. Much of the confusion encountered in problem solving today results from misconceptions about the nature of change in organizations, social systems, and their environments. Moreover, it has become evident that traditional hierarchical organizational forms, planning methodologies, and response strategies are inadequate for addressing complex problems. This is especially true when applied to emerging conditions having an increased rate of change, increased complexity, and increased uncertainty.

In an effort to understand how to develop better organizational environments for the integration of systems engineering and program management, this chapter analyzes the organizational structural dimensions of the Integration Framework, the environmental elements influencing the programs within the organization including cultural factors, leadership, and team building, and the nature of the participants' relationships.

9.2 Structural Dimensions of Integration

All organizations are developed through an ecosystem of related and unrelated and formal and informal projects, programs, networks, alliances, partnerships, and functional operations. This ecosystem defines the organization's structure. Because organizations are evolving systems, the structures within the organization continue to grow ...