But that approach generally creates a monstrosity like the auto in the first paragraph a hodgepodge of systems that fit together awkwardly at best. It fos-ters people looking for ways to work around the systems, or leaving in frustration. And that costs more in the long run than investing in good design. In a robust market a business may be able to hobble along on a piecemeal organization. But when the market falters the crutches splinter and the business stumbles.
Organizations have to last longer than most of their products or services.
Fully as much attention needs to be devoted to the design of an organization as to the design of its products and services. A well-designed organization that is aligned with its business purposes and market comes through good and hard times better than its competitors. It can accommodate the strains of growth and can align more rapidly with the market as it changes. We will be happy to consider submissions from other members. Here s a great chance to meet with industry leaders in accelerated reliability, at an evening meeting May 18 in Milpitas.