Organizations that redesign their value streams now will be far better positioned to realize the promise of AI. The greatest benefits will not come from automating today’s processes. They will come from redesigning tomorrow’s value streams so AI can amplify human capability, improve flow, and accelerate organizational performance. That is the real opportunity for LeanContinue reading “Lean’s Next Frontier: Designing Value Streams For AI”
Author Archives: Kevin Anderson, Dr. Organizational Design (OD)
Why Lean Will Win Where BPI Failed (With Lessons for AI)
I recently came across one of the clearest explanations of why Business Process Reengineering (BPR) failed—and why Lean continues to succeed. It connected past mistakes to what many organizations are about to repeat with AI. [The Reengineering Is Coming – Lean Enterprise Institute] At its core, BPR didn’t fail because the problems weren’t real. ItContinue reading “Why Lean Will Win Where BPI Failed (With Lessons for AI)”
Complex vs. Complicated Problems: It Makes a Difference!
I’ve started to notice that the word “unprecedented” doesn’t carry much weight anymore. It shows up so often in organizations that it’s become part of the background noise. That alone should tell us something—uncertainty is no longer the exception; it is the environment we are operating in every day. This realization sat at the coreContinue reading “Complex vs. Complicated Problems: It Makes a Difference!”
Looking Forward to Organization Design Forum National Conference
A Development Role Where Community Isn’t A Buzzword – It’s Real!
Sometimes the Internet actually gets it right. An AI search says people move to Northern Minnesota for its exceptional quality of life — a deep connection to nature, lower cost of living, and a strong sense of community. As someone who grew up in Grand Rapids and still heads north every chance I get, IContinue reading “A Development Role Where Community Isn’t A Buzzword – It’s Real!”
Supporting Community Radio in a Time It’s Needed Most
I’m thrilled to be leading a radio team retreat this month for KAXE, a northern Minnesota station rooted in people, place, and storytelling. In a time of shrinking federal and state support, their work is more vital than ever. KAXE is at the forefront of community-powered radio, with programming that connects and inspires— a fewContinue reading “Supporting Community Radio in a Time It’s Needed Most”
Drivel vs Wisdom: How to Tell the Difference in Management Thinking
There’s no substitute for business advice that’s practical and useful. Yes, I’m talking about suggestions that actually work — as in, they make things better in the real world. Drivel, on the other hand, is defined as “silly nonsense.” Unfortunately, there’s plenty of it floating around in the field of organizational development. At their best,Continue reading “Drivel vs Wisdom: How to Tell the Difference in Management Thinking”
Return to Office: Just Give Me A Reason
Why should we return to office? The lament reminds me of Pink’s song “Just Give Me A Reason” where she begs: “Just give me a reason, just a little bit’s enough.” To date, the headlines have instead focused on the reasons for staying home. For example, a recent Wall Street Journal article cited the difficultiesContinue reading “Return to Office: Just Give Me A Reason”
Go Ahead and “Enable” Your Clients Given All We Have Been Through!
Given the challenges our clients are facing, we should “enable” them to improve #organizational performance. Yes, I used the word “enable!” I fully recognize that this term is often times seen as a negative. As in, I “enabled” my dysfunctional cousins to drink themselves silly.” Not so cool. The type of “enabling” I am talkingContinue reading “Go Ahead and “Enable” Your Clients Given All We Have Been Through!”
Return-to-Work, Virtual or Hybrid: A Millennial Wonders If It Matters!
A consulting colleague stared at me with disbelief that I had spent time during the #pandemic writing a book The New Workforce: Productivity Through Virtual and Hybrid Teams https://amzn.to/3zvtzyv on navigating these new environments. She explained that she has always operated in #in-person and #online environments, seamlessly switching between the two. I am an “elder”Continue reading “Return-to-Work, Virtual or Hybrid: A Millennial Wonders If It Matters!”
Kevin Anderson, Dr. Organizational Design 