Principled measurement strategies for a self-directed work team environment

This paper describes a reproducible and effective process for implementing a measurement/feedback strategy in a newly formed self-directed work team environment at the IBM Microelectronics Division semiconductor manufacturing facility in Essex Junction, Vermont. This is an “Island to Nation” process where the “Nation” (the parent organization) maintains its structure, policies, and norms while the “Island” becomes the experiment. In this island there are roughly 100 people reconfigured from five centrally structured, multi-missioned departments (Project 070) into 12 decentralized, distinctly missioned teams. Discussed are player and coach responsibilities, the changing norms of the organization, the step-by-step process and the principles that underlie each step