Restructuring a Large IT Organization: Theory, Model, Process and Initial Results

Abstract

The Division of Information Technology at UW-Madison (a recent merger of academic computing, administrative computing, and telecommunications) has completed a thoroughgoing reorganization following the structural model and participative design process of consultant N. Dean Meyer. This represents the first application of this approach in education, encompassing a staff of over 600 people.The model defines four basic types of activities in an IT organization. It separates these activities into distinct units to avoid common problems, such as conflicting demands and technological bias, that beset most organizations. This approach creates greater specialization and expertise, but at the requirement of better communications--most work is done in teams of complementary specialists. One key to success is to provide clear horizontal communications between units. Another is to use "contracting" to define clear roles and responsibilities. Equally important, however, is a change in organizational culture to emphasize entrepreneurship and quality service.Based on the model, DoIT's design is a flat organization that bears little resemblance to the original. There is now exactly one locus for each activity and a clear picture of where new activities should be implemented. The structure can support frequent changes in both technology and customer needs without structural dislocations.The talk will sketch the model, the process used, the resulting organization, and experiences during and following the process. Paper presented at CAUSE94, the full proceedings of which are available through this Library as PUB1094.