Insights from CIOs on the value of a principle-based organizational structure....

"As a CIO, I've led organizations that ranged from hundreds of employees regionally to thousands globally. And in each case, I've implemented these principles of structure. This powerful, yet pragmatic, approach consistently leads to improved role clarity; better teamwork; customer focus; entrepreneurship; improved performance; and commitment. I use the principles as a forensic tool to give me insights about the structure I've inherited. And they provide a basis for a participative change process that allows my leadership team to contribute their knowledge and build an organization they truly understand and support. Frankly, after studying and applying these principles repeatedly, I can't imagine why other executives would depend on their intuitions, or repeat the mistakes others have made under the guise of 'best practices.' I encourage you to [study Dean's work] before you make any decisions about organizational structure."

Preston T. Simons CIO, Aurora Health Care and former CIO, Abbott Laboratories

"I've applied these principles in organizations as small as 20 people (as well as much bigger ones), and it's always produced powerful insights and practical and effective organization charts that drove real team behavior change."

Gary Rietz CIO, Blommer Chocolate Company

"Structure is a science? Structure is more fundamental than processes? Than strategies? Than even people? Business-within-a-business is more than chargebacks? Every manager is an entrepreneur? Dotted lines/matrix/federated models -- all wrong? Wow, [Dean] blew away the fads and 'common wisdom' (which turns out to be unwise), and opened my eyes to a completely new, refreshing, powerful, and pragmatic understanding of organizations."

Chris S. Romano CIO, Legal Industry

"Working with NDMA on building a high-performance IS organization helped prepare me to lead the entire company."

Dave Anderson President, American Family Insurance