Organizations must grow to survive, but unchecked bureaucratic growth can ruin an organization. I offer ways to battle this bloating at the micro and macro levels.
Cultures that Correct Defects – Soaring Club Case Study
A culture that reinforces correction of defects can be a value proposition as well as a continuous improvement device.
Observation: Engineers Like Working on the 6th Decimal Place
One of the challenges of managing engineers is making sure they are directing their energy on the most critical issues.
Grass-Cutting Excellence: Case Study in Bureaucracy Growth
This parable is about how a non-core function can be an example of unchecked bureaucracy growth.
NASA Program Management: Case Study in Making the Pie Bigger
An anecdote illustrating the benefit of making one’s pie bigger rather than protecting one’s control.
Legal Partnership: Case Study in the Benefit of Warrants
An anecdote illustrating how giving up a small amount of equity early on can lead to significant long-term growth.
Student Parking Crisis Averted
Managing a college campus work project illustrates the need to develop communication plans to create the proper expectations and perception.
Long Registration Lines on Campus
An anecdote illustrating that solving an organizational problem does not necessarily translate into the perception that the problem is solved.
An Aviation Case Study: Global Vision vs Tactical Execution
An example from aviation history that illustrates the benefit of trying a new strategy to break through and achieve an enhanced performance.
A Case Study: Team Synergy, Collaboration, and Consensus
A recap of a NASA training management class explores using synergistic decision making and consensus.