War and Peace and IT: Business Leadership, Technology, and Success in the Digital Age

Another reason why operational efficiency has taken priority over operational agility is the investment classification systems used in many enterprises. A number of classification schemes are used today, but they generally follow along the lines of that offered by MIT’s Computer Information Systems Research group: infrastructure, transactional, inf

The three principles on the outside loop—outcome-based strategy, value-based prioritization, and lightweight planning and governance— focus on answering the “how should we invest” question. The inner loop principles—autonomous teams; adaptive, learning culture; and self-sufficient, collaborative decisions—speak to working together and adapting fast

It’s as true in the business world as it is in the physical world. Mass is increased by … Long-term contracts Excess staff Permanent decisions Meetings Thick process Inventory (physical or mental) Hardware, software, and technology lock-ins Long-term road maps Office politics