Organizational Structure Prior to 2010: Teaming at Disney Animation Essay

1. Various departments and multiple layers of subordinates
2. Systems department: 5 silos and 5 managers, up to 20 group members
3. Vertical and rigid hierarchical structure
4. Centralized authority
5. Top-down decision making and reorganization

Diagnostic Conclusion: Bureaucratic, Functional structure

Job Design before 2010

1. Fixed division of tasks (boundaries between departments)
2. Protective behavior of departments
3. Lack of resource movement between departments
4. Specialization of the staff

Diagnostic Conclusion: Mechanistic job design

New Organizational Structure

• Introduced by Johnson and Geibel
• Based on the scientific management principles and the Matrix Model
• Small teams of 2-6 individuals instead of traditional units
• More autonomy (less interference)
• Higher influence on final decisions

New Teaming Structure

Team consists of team lead, primary members, and secondary members

Team leads focus on day-to-day operations (work alongside with others)

Secondary members contribute unique insights and skills to the project

Management Team

• Six-person management team is responsible for team/career coaching, and technology investment strategies
• 20% of time being hands-on

New Job Design

• Flexible division of tasks (job rotation)
• Empowerment of employees (team lead position)
• Efficient resource allocation
• Increased career growth opportunities (motivation)

Conclusions

Organizational structure became less bureaucratic:

• more flexible division of tasks
• more employee autonomy
• less centralized authority
• employees influence the decision-making process

Job design is less mechanistic:

• able to work in different teams
• enjoy new career growth opportunities

Reference

Edmondson, A. C., Ager, D. L., & Harburg, E. (2014). Teaming at Disney Animation. Harvard Business School Case 615-023.