Scaling unFIX

Fractal Organization Design

Base vs. League vs. Crowd
 

Theoretically, what works for people should also work for Bases. This page describes what a scaled-up version of unFIX could look like.

To be fair, most of this is hypothetical. We know the patterns work on a small scale; we believe they can work on a large scale.

 

Clusters

When you have a small working business model, you probably want to grow that business to become a larger company. You could do that with a Cluster of Bases where each Base is represented by one of its Chiefs.

A Cluster is a team of Bases, like a Crew is a team of people.

 

Capability Clusters, Facilitation Clusters

You might need one or more Facilitation Clusters that work across the different value streams or a Capability Cluster that offers its talent to whoever needs it.

 

Platform Clusters

To make architecture, infrastructure, or shared functions available to all Clusters, you will want to consider installing a Platform Cluster.

 

Experience Clusters, Partnership Cluster

To ensure a great customer experience (or partner experience) across the multiple value streams, you can decide to have an Experience Cluster or Partnership Cluster.

 

Governance Cluster

Management could be done in a Governance Cluster. This is the only place you would have managers of managers who can decide on hiring, firing, compensation, and promotions.

 

Assemblies

Finally, you will probably encounter the challenge of coordinating working methods across the Clusters. For that reason, you will want to introduce some Assemblies.

An Assembly is a group of coordinating Bases, like a Forum is a group of coordinating people.

 

Leagues

When you have multiple Clusters of Bases to grow the business further, you could call them a League.

A League is a tribe of Bases like a Base is a tribe of people.

Crowd
 

Fractal Organization Design

We can go even another step up and say that Leagues can organize themselves into Crowds. The Leagues can team up with each other in Coalitions and coordinate their work in Congresses.

However, it’s best to start small. At the level of the Base.

Scaling happens when an organization is self-similar at all scales. What applies to people also applies to Bases. What applies to Bases also applies to Leagues. And a third level up we could call it a Crowd. The model is entirely fractal.

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