CHAPTER 5

The Elements of Design

This chapter introduces the elements of design, the knobs that can be turned to structure an organization. We start this description from the ground up, with the design of positions (the cells of the organization’s body): their scope, degree of formalization, and the training and indoctrination they require. Next comes the design of the superstructure (the skeleton of the organization): how these positions are grouped into units, what size these units should be, and how much decision-making power should be decentralized to them. Finally, there is the fleshing out of the superstructure: the systems of planning and control and the lateral linkages to connect all these positions and units together.

Designing Positions: ...

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