Ideo Organizational Analysis Ideo Operates Unlike Any

IDEO Organizational Analysis

IDEO operates unlike any other design company in the world by combining a very unique support structure and organization that allows for a very egalitarian-based approach to innovation. The couture and management style of IDEO are known for the emphasis on empathy over purely technically driven design (Michlewski, 2008). All aspects of IDEO revolve around trial-and-error-based processes of design innovation, with dissension and conflicting ideas welcomed (Smith, 2002).

Analysis of IDEO

The catalyst of IDEO's success is in creating an eclectic team of professionals in various disciplines that can quickly analyze and apply information to a defined problem. IDEO begins with a focus on solving a very unique problem that immediately generates empathy and concern. This is the driving factor that galvanizes the development efforts together over the duration of projects (Whatmore, 2001). The organizational structure is designed to be agile, capable for responding rapidly to changing requirements and needs of a project as well, as the video of the shopping car example illustrates.

One of the more interesting aspects of the IDEO organization and structure is that it is deliberately designed to create rapid iterations of designs and ideas. The organizational structure is also created to ensure the management style stays very egalitarian and more focused on expertise, less on hierarchical reporting and seniority-based organizational dynamics. As the video and background readings have shown, if IDEO had relied on that type of hierarchal organizational structure, it would have not have been as successful.

The support structure, culture and management style all revolve around allowing for rapid trial and error, a fail-fast mentality that is driven by empathy (Michlewski, 2008). Mantras as defined in the video include one conversation at a time, stay focused on topic, encourage wild ideas, and fail often to succeed sooner all reflect how IDEO concentrates first on the creative process and the urgency of results (Whatmore, 2001).