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From Macro to Micro and back again
July 13, 2023
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1 m read
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design

Just like a living organism, an organization is growing and evolving over time. But growth is painful, as it requires constant adaptation. Adapting makes change inevitable and challenging; it can be difficult to accept and hard to enact. When we discuss organizational development, we are essentially bringing to our attention the change. This entails to continuously shift our attention from a macro perspective to a micro perspective and back again. Being able to do this with agility, it is crucial to acknowledge the two main pillars that contribute to an organization's growth: Vertical Scaling and Horizontal Scaling

vertical scaling

To remain relevant in the market, it is essential to tap into the undiscovered potential of your people. Essentially Vertical Scaling has do deal with the knowledge body present in your organization.

Humans have an innate desire for knowledge, discovery, and personal development. They solve complexity and bring complexity, therefore, it is important to focus on both Professional and Personal Development. This way we can foster innovation with ease. To effectively manage the changes which come with being innovative, the organization needs to establish a robust framework for people management and development. Vertical Scaling emphasizes the micro perspective, taking into account the individuals and their needs that align with the organization's overall objectives.

This pillar has its main focus points on:

  1. Identifying what you need today in order to be innovative tomorrow
  2. Understanding the knowledge & the interest of your people
  3. Implementing a plan-do-check-act for knowledge gain
  4. Engaging the people and step aside

horizontal scaling

As your organization experiences success, naturally your team will grow. Along the journey, you will attract and lose people, and your organization's needs will evolve. To achieve your goals efficiently, it is vital to focus on the right priorities. This requires establishing the appropriate structure and understanding the lifecycle of your domain, as well as bringing together diverse perspectives to deliver the desired results. Horizontal Scaling takes a macro perspective, concerned with how your organization is structured and divided.

This pillar has its main focus points on:

  1. Objectives
  2. Team constellations & composition
  3. Recruitment
  4. Onboarding
  5. Organizational structure & culture

in conclusion

Both pillars address the development which imply changes. They complement each other harmoniously, and to ensure efficiency and effectiveness, it is crucial to address both pillars simultaneously. Merely focusing on one while disregarding the other is insufficient.