Assessing Organization Agility / J-B Short Format Series (ePub)

In-depth agility evaluation for a more efficient response to
change

Assessing Organization Agility provides a clear, concise
roadmap to improved implementation of change. Written by two
organizational researchers at USC's Center for Effective
Organizations and a management consultant with Strategy&
(formerly Booz & Company), this book provides the means for
assessing an organization's agility and formulating an improvement
plan. Beginning with a discussion about the meaning of "agility,"
the authors enumerate the various contributing factors that affect
how quickly an organization responds to change, and the efficiency
of the response. An agility survey shows readers how their own
organization compares in terms of both perception and
implementation, allowing the formulation of an "Agility Profile"
that can point out strengths while highlighting areas in need of
improvement. Case studies demonstrate the real-world impact of
effective agility strategy, and example scenarios illustrate
improved responses by each agility "type."

Eighty percent of large-scale organizations fail to meet their
objectives, and poor agility is often to blame. Organizations
respond to changes in the marketplace, economy, and society by
implementing changes in their processes and procedures, but
planning and implementing change takes time. During that time, the
context of the initial decision frequently evolves, leaving the
organization one step behind. Agility is the ability to quickly
implement change without sacrificing strategy, and Assessing
Organization Agility helps readers to:

* Discover the organizational/operational factors that contribute
to agility

* Assess current agility from all perspectives, highlighting
areas for improvement

* Implement processes and procedures that streamline change
events

* Maintain forward trajectory with adjustments to strategy and
implementation

The current pace of technical, competitive, and environmental
change is faster than ever before, and response requirements are
far more complex and sophisticated. In this turbulent environment,
agility can mean the difference between success and stagnation.
Assessing Organization Agility asks the questions and
provides the answers that lead to better organizational reflex and
more effective response.