MIT's Repenning and Kieffer introduce 'dynamic work design' in their book to enhance organizational efficiency through flexible problem-solving.

Nelson Repenning and Donald Kieffer from MIT present their book, 'There’s Got to Be a Better Way,' which focuses on enhancing organizational efficiency through a concept they call 'dynamic work design.' This approach encourages organizations to identify and solve specific workflow problems rather than relying on top-down management strategies. Drawing from their experiences, including work with BP after the Deepwater Horizon incident, they outline five principles for effective work design: solving the right problem, structuring for discovery, connecting the human chain, regulating for flow, and visualizing work. They caution against the temptation to implement technology-based solutions without first addressing underlying design issues. The authors advocate for small, incremental changes to foster a sustainable path to improvement, urging managers to remain engaged with the realities of their organizations.