Reconfigurable Organisation to Cope with Unpredictable Goals

The paper proposes a methodology and design rules for organizational structures facing higher necessity of internal adaptation, of rapidly reconfigure themselves to cope with unpredictable situations – new markets, new products, unpredictable mix of production, problems in production process or flows etc. It implies changing and often conflictive criteria for production goals and for the allocation of work. The methodology was developed based on a large field action research and consulting during late 90s’; it was discussed and applied in organisations like Unilever (food and consumer goods), Rhône-Poulanc (chemical), Rockwell (autoparts / mechanical), Petrobras (oil refinery & engineering), R&D sectors of some companies as well as some attempt in public sector, and others. Their basis is the design of auto-reconfigurable working groups – or groups with variable geometry, depending on the events to face. Groups have neither previous size (number of components) nor predefined composition.