Every organization makes two fundamental discoveries:
First: There is work that is well-defined and routine. It needs specialization, focus, efficiency.
Second: There is work that is ambiguous and uncertain. It needs collaboration, creativity, flexibility.
The Problem: Organizations think they must choose. Either efficient OR flexible.
The Solution: Switch quickly between both, depending on what's needed right now.
These 6 patterns show how that works – and what happens when it goes wrong.
Essentials
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Studio Mode
Studio Mode optimizes collaboration and creativity for ambiguous work through intensive, synchronous communication and structured problem-solving.
Factory Mode
Factory Mode optimizes well-defined, routine work through specialization and standardized processes, emphasizing efficiency and minimal coordination.
Fast Oscillation
Fast Oscillation is a Dynamic Work Design pattern that enables organizations to quickly switch between Factory Mode (efficiency) and Studio Mode (collaboration) to solve problems effectively.
Ineffective Iterations
Ineffective Iterations occur when ambiguous work is organized serially through email, leading to slow feedback loops, and can be improved by shifting to direct collaboration in Studio Mode.
Wasted Attention
Wasted Attention is an anti-pattern caused by excessive collaboration and meetings that hinders productivity in well-defined work, requiring a shift back to efficient Factory Mode.
Axis of Frustration
The Axis of Frustration describes how organizations fall into destructive cycles by failing to switch effectively between Factory Mode and Studio Mode, leading to inefficiency and wasted attention.
More about this
Dynamic Work Design was developed by Nelson P. Repenning and Donald C. Kieffer at MIT Sloan. Start with the foundational article "A New Approach to Designing Work" (2018) and watch "Unlock Your Organization's Full Potential with Dynamic Work Design" by Don Kieffer to see practical applications.
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If you want to use this in your worksystems-design sessions, here is all the material you need.
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