Articles
Innovation, Transformation & Service Design
Fishbowl Discussion: Definition, Process & Facilitation Guide
Fishbowl discussion step by step: variants, facilitation protocol with timeline, practical example, and comparison with Open Space and World Cafe.
Scoring Model: Guide, Practical Example & Method Comparison
The scoring model step by step: weighted evaluation with a practical insurance example, sensitivity analysis, and systematic method comparison.
Team Canvas: Definition, Guide & Facilitation Playbook
Team Canvas step by step: all 9 fields explained, 90-minute workshop guide, practical example, and comparison with Team Charter & Working Agreement.
Gallery Walk: Method, Process & Facilitation Guide
Gallery Walk step by step: process, 5 variations, common mistakes, and a complete facilitation guide for teams and large groups.
Liberating Structures: 33 Microstructures for Distributed Leadership
Liberating Structures explained: The 33 interaction patterns, 5 design elements, and step-by-step guides for 1-2-4-All, TRIZ, and Ecocycle.
Swimlane Diagram: Definition, Step-by-Step Guide & Practical Example
How to create a swimlane diagram step by step: core elements, 7-step guide, insurance claims example, and comparison with BPMN & service blueprint.
Mystery Shopping: Definition, Process & Practical Guide
Mystery shopping as a method for measuring service quality: step-by-step guide with worked example, common mistakes, and method comparison.
Open Space Technology: Definition, Principles & Facilitation Guide
Open Space Technology step by step: the 4 principles, the Law of Two Feet, and a complete facilitation guide for 20 to 2,000 participants.
Root Cause Analysis: Definition, Methods & Step-by-Step Guide
Root cause analysis step by step: 6 methods compared, decision framework, service industry example & honest limitations backed by academic evidence.
Concept Map: Definition, Step-by-Step Guide & Examples for Service Design
How to create a concept map in 6 steps: practical guide with an insurance industry example, mind map comparison, and free template.
Process Mining: Definition, Methods & Application in Service Optimization
Process Mining analyzes real process data from IT systems. Learn the three methods, the workflow, and how to optimize service processes with data.
Reframing: Definition, Methods & Examples for Innovation
Reframing for innovation: step-by-step workshop guide, 4 methods, real-world example, and research from Dorst to Wedell-Wedellsborg.
Hackathon: Planning, Execution, and Practical Guide for Service Innovation
Planning and running hackathons for service innovation: formats, process, success factors, and common mistakes.
LEGO Serious Play: Method, Process, and Application in Service Design and Strategy
LEGO Serious Play as an innovation method: process, application types, research, and practical guide.
Retrospective: Methods, Formats, and Practical Guide for Teams
The retrospective as a learning method: 8 proven formats, process, facilitation tips, and common mistakes.
Spiral Dynamics: The Value Levels -- Model, Critique & Application in Organizations
Spiral Dynamics according to Graves, Beck and Cowan: the 8 value levels, empirical critique and application in organizational development.
Theory U: The U-Model by Otto Scharmer -- Method, Critique & Practice Guide
Theory U by Otto Scharmer: the 5 phases of the U process, Presencing, empirical critique and practical application.
World Cafe: Method, Process, and Practical Guide for Large Groups
The World Cafe method step by step: process, 7 design principles, and practical guide for 20-200 participants.
ADKAR Model: Guide, Practical Example and Comparison with Kotter
The Prosci ADKAR Model step by step: 5 elements of individual change with practical example and comparison.
Change Curve: The 5 Phases of Change -- Model, Critique and Practical Guide
The Change Curve based on Kubler-Ross: 5 phases, empirical critique and guide for change managers.
Customer Effort Score (CES): Calculation, Research, and Practical Guide
The Customer Effort Score explained: calculation, the CEB study, applications, and a practical guide for services.
Customer Satisfaction Score (CSAT): Calculation, Application, and Practical Guide
The CSAT explained: calculation, scales, industry benchmarks, and a practical guide for measuring customer satisfaction.
Cynefin Framework: The 5 Domains -- Guide and Practical Example
The Cynefin Framework by Dave Snowden: 5 domains of decision-making with practical example for innovation.
Force Field Analysis: Guide, Practical Example and Template Based on Kurt Lewin
Lewin's Force Field Analysis step by step: identify driving and restraining forces with template and practical example.
Kotter's 8-Step Model: Guide, Critique and Practical Example for Change Processes
Kotter's 8-Step Change Model step by step: guide, empirical critique and practical example for transformation leaders.
Maturity Model: Definition, Types, and Practical Guide for Innovation Management
Maturity models for innovation and services: definition, established models, how to build one, and practical guide.
Net Promoter Score (NPS): Calculation, Benchmarks, and Critical Assessment
The Net Promoter Score explained: calculation, industry benchmarks, empirical critique, and a practical guide for services.
North Star Metric: Definition, Examples, and Guide for Service Organizations
How to define a North Star Metric: guide, examples by industry, and the connection to OKR and service innovation.
OKR: Objectives and Key Results -- Method, Examples, and Implementation Guide
OKR step by step: how to write Objectives and Key Results, implement the framework, and connect it to innovation management.
Psychological Safety: Definition, Research, and Practical Guide for Teams
Psychological safety according to Amy Edmondson: definition, Google study, 4 stages, and practical guide for leaders.
Servant Leadership: Definition, 10 Characteristics, and Practical Guide
Servant leadership according to Robert Greenleaf: definition, the 10 characteristics, empirical research, and practical guide.
Spotify Model: Squads, Tribes, Chapters, and Guilds -- Guide and Critique
The Spotify model of agile organization: squads, tribes, chapters, guilds -- structure, critique, and practical experiences.
Stage-Gate Process: Guide, Critique, and Alternatives for Service Innovation
The Stage-Gate process by Cooper: 5 phases, adaptation for services, empirical critique, and agile alternatives.
Brainstorming: Method, Rules, Variants, and What Research Really Shows
How to use brainstorming effectively: the 4 core rules, 6 variants, common mistakes, and what 70 years of research say about the method.
Brainwriting: The Silent Alternative to Brainstorming -- Method, Variants, and Guide
Brainwriting as a creativity technique: 6-3-5 method, brainwriting pool, and further variants with practical guidance.
Decision Matrix: Guide, Practical Example & Template
The decision matrix step by step: weighted evaluation of alternatives with practical example and ready-to-use template.
Empathy Map: Guide, Practical Example & Template for Service Design
The Empathy Map step by step: guide with service example, common mistakes, and free template for immediate use.
KPI Dashboard for Service Innovation: Structure, Metrics & Practical Example
Build a KPI dashboard for services: the most important metrics, step-by-step setup guide, and practical example for service innovation.
SCAMPER Method: Guide, Practical Example, and Checklist for Service Innovation
The SCAMPER method step by step: 7 creativity techniques with a practical example for service and product innovation.
Shadowing in Service Design: Method, Process & Practical Example
Shadowing as a user research method: guide to observation in service processes with practical example and common mistakes.
Stakeholder Map: Guide, Practical Example & Template for Service Design
The Stakeholder Map step by step: identify, prioritize, and manage stakeholders with a practical example and template.
Storyboard in Service Design: Guide, Example & Template
Storyboarding for service processes: step-by-step guide with practical example, templates, and common mistakes to avoid.
Usability Test: Method, Process & Practical Guide for Services
Usability testing for digital and physical services: guide, practical example, common mistakes, and comparison with other testing methods.
Value Stream Mapping: Guide, Practical Example & Template for Service Processes
Value stream mapping for services: step-by-step guide with practical example, standard symbols, and ready-to-use template.
Service Design Case Studies: 8 Real-World Examples with Measurable Results
How organizations achieve measurable results with service design: 8 case studies from healthcare, automotive, financial services, and telecommunications.
Service Innovation in Numbers: Benchmarks, KPIs, and Industry Data for the DACH Region
Key benchmarks and KPIs for service innovation: market data, innovation rates, ROI studies, and industry comparisons for the German-speaking DACH region.
Service Innovation Research: The Academic Foundations -- From Service-Dominant Logic to the 6-Dimensions Model
The key research streams in service innovation: Vargo & Lusch, den Hertog, Gallouj & Weinstein, and their practical implications for organizations.
Business Model Innovation Through Service Design: How Customer-Centric Methods Transform Business Models
How Service Design enables BMI: VPC as a bridge, BMC-SD mapping, 3 integration patterns, and DACH case studies (Hilti, TRUMPF, Zurich Insurance).
Strategic Design: When Designers Shape Corporate Strategy -- Definition, Distinctions, and Connection to Service Innovation
What is Strategic Design? Definition, distinctions from Service Design and Design Thinking, 5 schools of thought, and connection to service innovation.
Service Design FAQ: The 20 Most Important Questions -- and Honest Answers
What is Service Design? How does it differ from UX and Design Thinking? 20 answers on methods, processes, and real-world examples.
Service Innovation FAQ: The 20 Most Important Questions -- and Honest Answers
What is service innovation? What does it cost? How do you start? 20 answers to the most common questions on definition, methods, costs, and industries.
Service Innovation in B2B: How Industrial Companies and SMEs Develop New Services -- 8 DACH Case Studies and a Maturity Model
B2B service innovation: servitization, platforms, smart services -- with Hilti, Kaeser, Heidelberg, Siemens, and 5 more DACH case studies.
Service Innovation in Financial Services: How Banks and Insurers Systematically Develop New Services
Service innovation in finance: Open Banking, EUR 5.9bn IT spend, regulatory frameworks -- and why Service Design is the missing methodology.
Service Innovation in the Automotive Industry: From Vehicle Manufacturer to Mobility Provider
Automotive service innovation: servitization model, Connected Car, MaaS, DACH case studies (VW, BMW, MOIA, Deutschlandticket) and Service Design for OEMs.
Service Innovation in Healthcare: Why Technology Alone Won't Fix the System -- and Which Methods Actually Work
Service innovation in healthcare: EUR 20.8bn efficiency potential, DiGA, ePA, sector boundaries -- and how service design bridges the gap.
Innovation Management and Self-Organization: Why Culture Programs Fail Without Structural Change
Self-organization and innovation: 5 structural advantages, 5 limitations, 6 governance models, works council compatibility, and 5 anti-patterns with evidence.
Service Design as Innovation Method: Why SD Is the Operational Core of Service Innovation
Service Design as innovation method: 4 unique contributions, phase mapping, SDN maturity model, and the path from SD projects to innovation capability.
Innovation Culture and Organization: Pisano's 5 Paradoxes, DACH Barriers, and the 8 Most Common Culture Patterns That Prevent Innovation
Build innovation culture: Schein's 3-level model, Pisano's paradoxes, Hofstede analysis for DACH, leadership behaviors, team structure and anti-patterns.
Technology and Service Innovation: AI Reality Check, Digital Services, Platforms, and the 7 Most Common Technology Anti-Patterns
Technology in service innovation: AI hype vs. reality, digital vs. enhanced services, platform assessment, DACH data and 7 anti-patterns.
Service Innovation Process: 6 Frameworks Compared, Phase-Specific Methods, and the 7 Most Common Process Mistakes
Service innovation process: 6 frameworks compared, phase-specific methods, gate criteria, co-creation in B2B, agile integration and process anti-patterns.
Measuring Service Innovation: ROI Framework, Metrics Taxonomy, and the 8 Most Common Measurement Mistakes
Measure innovation impact: ROI calculation, input/output/outcome metrics, maturity assessment, DACH benchmarks, and evidence-based measurement mistakes.
Getting Started with Service Innovation: 90-Day Framework, Pilot Design, and the Most Common Launch Mistakes
Start service innovation: 90-day launchpad, pilot project criteria, governance setup, Mittelstand vs. enterprise paths, and 10 avoidable launch mistakes.
Why Service Innovation Fails: 5 Root Cause Categories, 16 Patterns, and Their Early Warning Signs
Service innovation fails on patterns, not ideas. 5 categories, DACH data, early warning signs, and diagnostic questions.
Service Innovation: Definition, Types, DACH Examples -- and Why 70% of Value Creation Needs Its Own Innovation Methodology
Service innovation: definition, 6 types (Gallouj), den Hertog model, DACH examples (Telekom, Allianz, VW), and inside-out capability building.
VRIO Analysis: Evaluating Resources and Capabilities Strategically -- with Examples, Critique, and the Barney-Porter Bridge
VRIO analysis: definition, four criteria, Barney-Porter bridge, DACH examples, dynamic capabilities, and the tautology debate.
Break-Even Analysis: From the Basic Formula to Multi-Level Contribution Margin Accounting -- with a Service Focus
Break-even analysis: formula, contribution margin accounting, multi-product break-even, break-even time, sensitivity analysis, and the break-even trap.
PESTLE Analysis: Scanning the Macro Environment Systematically -- with Practical Example, Prioritization, and Honest Criticism
PESTLE analysis: definition, 6 dimensions, factor interactions, impact-probability matrix, DACH example, and where macro analysis fails.
Competitive Analysis: Methods, Frameworks, and the 6 Blind Spots Distorting Your Strategy
Competitive analysis: definition, Porter's Four Corners, competitor identification, competitive monitoring, and where analysis fails.
Balanced Scorecard: Making Strategy Measurable -- with Strategy Map, BSC Example, and Honest Criticism
Balanced Scorecard: definition, four perspectives, Strategy Map, BSC vs. OKR, practical example, and when the BSC fails.
Design Thinking: Method, Process, and What Comes Next
What is design thinking? Definition, 5-phase process, Double Diamond, workshop formats, limitations, and the path to service design and service innovation.
Business Model Innovation Fails: 6 Systemic Causes and How to Spot Them
Why business model innovation fails: dominant logic, exploitation trap, organizational immune system, logic conflict, and DACH data on BMI barriers.
Innovation Frameworks Compared: Stage-Gate, OKR, Balanced Scorecard, Cynefin, and Spotify Model
5 innovation frameworks compared: Stage-Gate, OKR, BSC, Cynefin, Spotify Model – with decision matrix and DACH examples.
Innovation Metrics: How to Systematically Measure and Manage Innovation
Innovation metrics for portfolio, maturity model, and KPI dashboard. NPS, North Star Metric, and Innovation Accounting for DACH enterprises.
Business Model Innovation: Definition, Types, Process and DACH Examples
What is business model innovation? Academic definition, 4 BMI types, 5-phase process, KfW data and DACH enterprise examples.
8 Change Management Models Compared: Which Framework Fits Your Situation?
Kotter vs ADKAR vs Lewin vs Theory U — side-by-side comparison with decision matrix. Pick the right change framework for your organization's context.
Business Design and Service Design: How Both Disciplines Work Together
How Business Design and Service Design work together: DFV triad, bridge tools (VPC, Blueprint, BMC), 4 integration points and warning signs.
Why Business Transformations Fail: 6 Patterns from Research and Practice
Why business transformations fail: adaptive vs. technical, change fatigue, identity crisis, strategy-execution gap and rescue strategies.
Business Design Mistakes: 7 Reasons Why Business Designs Fail
7 common Business Design mistakes: treating the Canvas as endpoint, skipping validation, DVF gaps, wrong metrics and how to avoid them.
Business Model Innovation for Services: Why Services Need Different Rules
Why BMI for services works differently: IHIP characteristics, 6 service business model patterns, industry examples and BMC adaptation.
Business Transformation: Definition, Types & Process Model
What is business transformation? 4 types, how it differs from change management, process model, DACH examples and the 70% myth.
Innovation Management: Definition, Responsibilities & Organization
What is innovation management? Definition, 4 action fields, innovation vs. R&D, DACH examples (Siemens, Bosch, Telekom) and ISO 56002.
Business Model Canvas: Guide, Template & Service Example
Business Model Canvas for services: 9 building blocks, filling order, 90-min workshop guide, Lean Canvas comparison & 7 common mistakes.
Value Proposition Canvas: Guide, Example & Connection to the Business Model Canvas
Value Proposition Canvas for services: Jobs-to-be-Done theory, Kano model connection, step-by-step guide and service example.
Business Design: Definition, Process & How It Differs from Service Design
What is Business Design? 5-phase process, comparison with Service Design and Design Thinking, tools per phase and the most common mistakes.
SWOT Analysis: Definition, Guide & Worked Example with TOWS Matrix
SWOT analysis for service companies: 4 quadrants + TOWS Matrix for strategy derivation, workshop guide with timeline & insurance example.
Industry Structure Analysis (Porter's Five Forces): Guide with Service Example
Porter's Five Forces for service companies: 5 forces with service adaptation, step-by-step guide & example. Including complementor debate.
Ansoff Matrix: The 4 Growth Strategies with Practical Example
Ansoff Matrix for service companies: 4 strategies with risk profiles, step-by-step guide & service example. Including Dawes critique.
BCG Matrix: Explanation, Examples & Template for Practice
BCG Matrix for service portfolios: 4 quadrants with standard strategies, step-by-step guide with timeline, practical example & honest critique.
Benchmarking: Definition, Types, Process & Practical Examples
Benchmarking step by step: 5-phase process with timeline, 7 types compared, service example & the most common mistakes to avoid.
Building Service Design Competency: Learning Path, Certifications & Career Levels
Learn service design: competency model with 4 career levels, certification comparison (SDN, A4Q, XDi, IDEO U), degree programs, and cost-benefit analysis.
Embedding Service Design in Organizations: Maturity Model, Team Structure & ROI
Embed service design organizationally: 5-stage maturity model, 3 team models compared, ROI framework per stage, and 6 common embedding mistakes.
Service Design Methods: Overview, Selection Guide & Tool Combinations
40+ service design methods in 10 categories. Selection matrix, tool combinations for 3 project types, and bridging design and quality management traditions.
Service Prototyping in Service Design: Methods, Fidelity Framework & Practice
Service Prototyping: 6 methods in a fidelity framework, from blueprint to prototype, pilot design & the 6 most common mistakes. GDPR checklist included.
User Research in Service Design: Methods, JTBD & B2B Practice
User Research in service design: 4 methods for the discovery phase, JTBD for B2B services, and the synthesis gap that no other guide closes.
Multi-Stakeholder Design: 5 Protocols for Real Stakeholder Conflicts
Multi-Stakeholder Design goes beyond stakeholder mapping. Learn 5 protocols for real conflicts — from consent decision-making to buying committee analysis.
Service Design: Definition, Process & Practical Example
What is service design? Definition, the 5 principles, the Double Diamond, and a B2B practical example. Including comparison to Design Thinking and UX Design.
Customer Journey Mapping: Definition, Methodology, Workshop Guide & B2B Example
Create a customer journey map: touchpoint taxonomy, 120-min workshop protocol, B2B buying center example & 7 common mistakes to avoid.
Gemba Walk: Definition, Checklist & Practical Guide
The Gemba Walk step by step: practical guide with service example, 10-question checklist, method comparison & cognitive traps to avoid.
Kano Model: Guide, Practical Example & Questionnaire Template
The Kano model step by step: practical guide with service example, method comparison, Kano questionnaire template & evaluation table for immediate use.
Service Blueprint: Definition, Components, Workshop Guide & Practical Example
How to create a service blueprint: 5 components explained, 90-min workshop protocol, B2B example & 7 common mistakes to avoid.
PDCA Cycle: Guide, Practical Example & Template (Deming Cycle)
The PDCA cycle step by step: practical guide with service example, PDCA vs. PDSA comparison, method comparison table & ready-to-use checklist.
Ishikawa Diagram: Step-by-Step Workshop Guide (With Free Template)
Run a 90-minute Ishikawa root cause analysis workshop. Facilitation scripts, 4M vs 6M vs 8M comparison, service example, and free template.
Morphological Box (Zwicky Box): Guide with CCA & Example
The Morphological Box explained systematically: step-by-step guide with Cross-Consistency Assessment, example, and method comparison.
Burnout and Micromanagement: The Hidden Costs of Traditional Leadership
70% of engagement traces to the manager. But better managers aren't enough—the problem is structural.
Innovation Killers: 7 Ways Organizations Suffocate Good Ideas
7 structural barriers that systematically suffocate good ideas—and why culture change alone isn't enough.
Medium and Holacracy: What We Can Learn from the Experiment
Medium was a prominent Holacracy adopter—and later modified the system. What does this mean for the future of self-organization?
The Meeting Trap: Why Teams Spend More Time Talking Than Doing
60% of meeting time produces no concrete results. Yet fewer meetings isn't the solution. What research shows about productive coordination.
The Numbers Behind Self-Organization: What 50+ Studies Show
Data-driven analysis of Holacracy research. What science documents about success rates, employee effects, and limitations.
Slow Decisions: Why Hierarchies Slow Down Companies in Transformation
5 approval layers, 3 days per layer, 15 days to a decision. Why structure is the hidden bottleneck – and when hierarchy is faster.
Why Your Best Employees Keep Leaving: The Hidden Structural Causes
50% of employees quit because of their manager. The problem is often structural, not individual. What research shows.
Zappos and Holacracy: What the Research Shows
The most famous case of organizational self-management—scientifically analyzed. What worked, what failed, and what lessons.
Change Management for Self-Organization: The Path to New Structures
How to accompany the transition to self-organization: Manager identity, employee empowerment, and dealing with resistance.
Circle Design in Holacracy: When to Split, Merge, or Nest Circles
Practical criteria for Holacracy circle design: when to create sub-circles, balance autonomy with coordination, and 5 signs a circle needs restructuring.
Compensation in Holacracy: Beyond Hierarchy-Based Pay
Traditional compensation systems don't fit self-organization. Research shows which models work in Holacracy.
Cultural Prerequisites for Holacracy: When Is Your Organization Ready?
Not every corporate culture is ready for Holacracy. Research shows three critical factors: trust, transparency, and learning ability.
External vs. Internal Facilitators: An Evidence-Based Decision Guide
When external, when internal facilitators? Evidence-based criteria for Holacracy implementation decisions.
Facilitator Training in Holacracy: Building Internal Capability
How to develop internal facilitators and establish sustainable facilitation capability in your organization. Curriculum, methods, and certification.
Hiring for Self-Organization: Finding the Right People
Not everyone fits Holacracy. Research shows which traits lead to success and how to recognize them in hiring.
Holacracy Challenges: The 15 Most Common Questions
Practical answers to the most common questions about Holacracy challenges. Based on research and practical experience.
Measuring Holacracy Implementation: Metrics for Success
How to measure the success of your Holacracy implementation: Process, engagement, and outcome metrics for each phase of transformation.
Holacracy Implementation: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Common Holacracy implementation questions answered with evidence: costs, timelines, success factors, and challenges - backed by research.
Common Mistakes in Holacracy Implementation
The typical mistakes in Holacracy adoption and how to avoid them: From insufficient training to unrealistic expectations.
Holacracy Implementation: Realistic Timeline
How long does a Holacracy implementation really take? Phases, milestones, and realistic expectations for the transformation period.
In-House Training for Holacracy: Building Your Own Programs
Research-based guide to building internal Holacracy training programs: curricula, trainer development, and sustainable learning structures.
Legal Aspects of Holacracy in Germany: An Orientation
Implementing Holacracy within German labor and corporate law. Not legal advice—for orientation before consulting your attorney.
Manager Identity Crisis: Supporting Leaders Through the Holacracy Transition
The Holacracy transition confronts managers with identity questions. With the right strategies, former leaders can thrive in self-organization.
Performance Reviews in Holacracy: Without Managers, Who Evaluates?
Traditional performance reviews fail in self-organization. Research shows peer-based alternatives that work.
Pilot Programs in Holacracy: Testing Before Full Rollout
How to test Holacracy with a pilot circle: When a pilot makes sense, how to choose the right circle, and what you can learn from the pilot.
Role Mapping in Holacracy: Converting Jobs to Roles
How to translate existing job descriptions into Holacracy roles. Workshop formats, common mistakes, and practical templates for initial role mapping.
Scaling Holacracy: From Startup to Enterprise
Holacracy works in small teams. But what happens at 200 or 1,500 employees? Research and case studies reveal the scaling boundaries.
When to Abandon Holacracy: The Honest Analysis
Sometimes the right decision is to end Holacracy. Research shows the warning signs and helps separate rational from emotional reasons.
The Anchor Circle in Holacracy: The Root of the Organization
The Anchor Circle is the topmost circle in Holacracy. What makes it special, who sits in it, and how governance works at this level.
Asynchronous Holacracy: When Not to Meet
Not everything needs a meeting. Learn which Holacracy elements work asynchronously and how to reduce synchronous time.
Check-in Rounds in Holacracy: Purpose and Variations
Check-in rounds create presence and psychological safety. Learn how to design effective check-ins and what variations exist.
Forming Circles in Holacracy: From Need to Functioning Structure
When a new circle makes sense, how the formation process works, and which mistakes to avoid. A practical guide.
Holacracy Circles Explained: How They Work and Why Departments Can't Compare
Circles replace departments in Holacracy — but they're not renamed org units. How circles function, common design mistakes, and real-world examples.
Cross-Circle Meetings: Coordination Between Circles
How do Circles coordinate in Holacracy? The mechanisms for cross-Circle communication and when additional meetings make sense.
Cross Links in Holacracy: Connecting Circles That Need to Collaborate
Cross Links connect circles that need regular coordination. When they make sense, how to create them, and when to avoid them.
From Departments to Circles: The Holacracy Migration
How to convert traditional departments into Holacracy circles. Migration patterns, common mistakes, and why 1:1 translation doesn't work.
Domain Conflicts in Holacracy: When Responsibilities Overlap
What happens when domains overlap? Recognizing symptoms, finding governance solutions, and preventing conflicts proactively.
Holacracy Triage: Processing Tensions Effectively
The triage process is the heart of every Tactical Meeting. Learn how to transform tensions into concrete outputs.
The Lead Link Role in Holacracy: Responsibility Without Power
The Lead Link is not a manager in the traditional sense. Tasks, boundaries, and misunderstandings of this structural role.
Meeting Frequency in Holacracy: Finding the Right Cadence
How often should Tactical and Governance Meetings happen? Learn to find the optimal meeting frequency for your team.
Common Meeting Mistakes in Holacracy (and How to Avoid Them)
The 10 most common meeting mistakes in Holacracy organizations and concrete solutions from practice.
Meeting Roles in Holacracy: Facilitator and Secretary
Facilitator and Secretary are the key roles in every Holacracy meeting. Learn their tasks, boundaries, and best practices.
Holacracy Meetings FAQ: The Most Common Questions
Answers to the most common questions about meetings in Holacracy: frequency, duration, roles, remote work, and more.
Multi-Roles in Holacracy: One Person, Many Roles
In Holacracy, one person often has multiple roles. How to deal with this multi-role reality, set priorities, and avoid overload.
One-on-Ones in Self-Organization: Personal Conversations Without Hierarchy
Do you need one-on-ones in Holacracy? Yes – but differently. How personal conversations work in self-organized teams.
The Rep Link Role in Holacracy: Voice of the Circle Outward
The Rep Link represents the sub-circle in the super-circle. How double-linking works and when the Rep Link should intervene.
Retrospectives in Holacracy: Reflection Beyond Standard Meetings
How do retrospectives fit with Holacracy? When they make sense, how they differ from Tactical and Governance.
Role-Based Authority in Holacracy: A Fundamental Paradigm Shift
Role-based authority replaces person-based power. How authority emerges from roles and why this transforms organizations.
Role Evolution in Holacracy: How Roles Develop Organically
Roles in Holacracy aren't static. How roles grow, shrink, split, and merge – and when each type of change makes sense.
Strategy Meetings in Holacracy: Beyond Tactical
How does strategic work fit with Holacracy? When and how strategy sessions happen outside standard meetings.
Structural Debt in Holacracy: When Structure Lags Behind Reality
Structural debt emerges when governance doesn't keep pace with work. Recognizing symptoms, understanding causes, conducting refactoring.
Holacracy Structure FAQ: 20 Common Questions Answered
The most important questions about roles, circles, links, and structure migration in Holacracy. Clear answers with practical examples.
Super-Circles and Sub-Circles in Holacracy: Understanding the Holarchy
How circles nest within circles in Holacracy, how many levels make sense, and how autonomy and information flow between levels.
Tactical Meetings in Holacracy: The Complete Process Guide
The complete guide to Tactical Meetings in Holacracy: process flow, triage method, roles and best practices from over 10 years of practice at SI Labs.
Temporary Roles in Holacracy: Limited Authority for Limited Work
Not every role needs to be permanent. When temporary roles make sense, how to create them, and how the sunset mechanism works.
The Facilitator Role in Holacracy: Leading Meetings with Confidence
The Facilitator leads governance meetings and guards the process. Techniques, mistakes, and the path to facilitator.
Governance Records in Holacracy: Best Practices
Properly document, organize, and make governance records accessible. Tool comparison, formats, and common documentation mistakes.
Objection vs Concern: Understanding the Difference in Holacracy
Learn the difference between valid objections and concerns in Holacracy. The 4 validity tests, examples, and common mistakes explained.
Writing Proposals in Holacracy: Templates and Examples
Learn to write effective governance proposals. Templates, 10 examples (good and bad), and common mistakes in proposal writing.
The Secretary Role in Holacracy: Complete Guide
The Secretary role documents governance and keeps records current. Responsibilities, tools, preparation, and common mistakes explained.
Adapting the Holacracy Constitution: When and How to Make Changes
The Holacracy Constitution isn't dogma. Learn when adaptations make sense and how to implement them safely.
Defining Roles in Holacracy: A Practical Guide
Roles are the building blocks of Holacracy. Learn how to define purpose, domains, and accountabilities that actually work.
Avoiding Governance Mistakes: The 10 Most Common Anti-Patterns
Governance often fails due to the same mistakes. Learn the 10 most common anti-patterns and how to avoid them.
Governance FAQ: 25 Common Questions About Holacracy Governance
The most important questions about governance in Holacracy – from basics to advanced topics. Practical answers with research backing.
How to Facilitate Holacracy Governance Meetings (Complete Playbook)
The facilitator's playbook for governance meetings: step-by-step process, objection handling scripts, common traps, and timing benchmarks.
Governance vs. Tactical Meetings: Which Meeting for Which Topic?
Governance or Tactical? The right meeting choice determines efficiency. Learn the difference and when to use which meeting.
The Holacracy Constitution Explained: Your Complete Guide to the Rulebook
The Holacracy Constitution is the operating system for self-organization. Learn all five articles, governance rules, and practical application.
Integrative Decision-Making (IDM): The Holacracy Decision Process
Integrative Decision-Making is the core of Holacracy. Learn the 6-step process, valid objections, and integration techniques.
Policies in Holacracy: When and How to Create Guidelines
Policies are powerful governance tools – but often misused. Learn when policies make sense and how to formulate them correctly.
Remote Governance: Running Holacracy Meetings Virtually
Governance works remotely too – with the right adaptations. Learn best practices for virtual Holacracy meetings.
Flat Organizations: Why They Fail and What Actually Works
Flat hierarchies promise agility but often deliver chaos. Research shows: it's not about less structure, but better structure.
Holacracy Case Studies: Lessons from Zappos, Buurtzorg & 45 More Companies
What 47 real Holacracy implementations reveal about success and failure. Data-backed patterns from Zappos, Buurtzorg, Mercedes-Benz, and mid-size companies.
What Research Says About Holacracy: A Synthesis of 655 Studies
The most comprehensive analysis of academic Holacracy research to date. 5 key findings from 655 studies on success, failure, and impact.
How Holacracy Succeeds: A Success Playbook for Self-Organization
The 5 success patterns from 50 studies on successful Holacracy implementation. Practical strategies for sustainable self-organization.
Why Holacracy Fails: 7 Root Causes and How to Fix Them
655 academic papers distilled into the 7 reasons Holacracy implementations fail — and the evidence-based countermeasures that actually work.
Holacracy at SI Labs: Ten Years of Self-Organization Experience
How we implemented Holacracy, what we learned, and why we still practice it today. An honest experience report.
How to Implement Holacracy: A Practical Seven-Phase Guide
How to successfully implement Holacracy: From readiness assessment to full rollout. Practical steps based on real-world experience.
Holacracy vs. Sociocracy: Choosing the Right Framework for Self-Organization
A structured comparison of Holacracy and Sociocracy. Both enable self-organization, but in different ways.
Holacracy: A Practitioner's Guide to Self-Organization
Holacracy replaces hierarchies with roles, circles, and clear governance. Learn how self-organization actually works.
Wild Days of Implementing a B2B Fintech Service
We hosted Service Design Drinks Berlin and shared our experience implementing the fintech product Bonitaetsmanager.
Personas and Prototypes in Service Design
A framework for crafting Company Personas and People Personas in service design.
Service Design User Types
An overview of user types in service design and what role emotional and social jobs play.
Self-Organization and Strategy Development - Part 3
Did self-organization become stronger through these processes? The results of our participative strategy development.
Self-Organization and Strategy Development - Part 2
Learnings from our strategy process: When many cooks make a better broth.
Self-Organization and Strategy Development - Part 1
If culture eats strategy for breakfast, self-organization invites strategy for lunch.
How Do Companies Establish an Innovation Culture?
Innovation potential exists in every company. Unlocking it often requires professional support and a systematic approach.
How Do Companies Manage Innovation Processes Effectively?
Many innovation projects fail. The innovation funnel is a proven tool for structuring the process and improving success rates.
How Can Companies Organize for Innovation?
No one-size-fits-all solution for innovation. A functioning innovation structure must be custom-designed for each organization.
Blog
News & Events
Company news, events, and community updates.
Our cooperation with Ideas in Motion
Learn how we help newcomer entrepreneurs from Syria to successfully realize their business ideas with our professional expertise, strong motivation and inn...
Berlin Future Mobility Meetup
With great anticipation, we started to host a new meetup series at Service Innovation Labs: Berlin Future Mobility Meetup. This time we had inspiring key ...
6TH ALTERNATIVE LEADERSHIP MEETUP
At our last meetup we've learned about B Corporations, Pair Programming and Micro Bonuses. Here you'll find all presentations.
The Art of Speed Testing
Learn how we adapted and customized our service design tools for speed testing.
Nachtschicht 2016 at SI Labs
We've had an amazing time discussing Holacracy and innovation with a lot of interesting people during the Nachtschicht. Check out some of the highlights in...
Celebrating 1000 Alternative Leaders
Our meetup group is celebrating a huge milestone today: we are officially 1000 members strong!
Designing Innovative Businesses with Holacracy
During the Nachtschicht we will share with you how we have implemented the vision of a holacratic company to our daily practice.
5th Alternative Leadership Meetup - 4-Day Workweek and Co-living
Our 5th alternative leadership and team organization meetup covered the following topics: 4-day workweek and co-living. Here you can find the presentations.
Growth patterns of the digital age
A short summary on how digital technology and resulting network effects change the way companies acquire customers.
Our highlights of the City Car Summit 2016
Key insights from the City Car Summit 2016 on urban mobility, car sharing, and how automakers are adapting to new service models.
4th Alternative Leadership Meetup – Making agile work
This time around we’ll cover the following areas: 1. Managing a business with scrum 2. Peer feedback 3. Job sharing Interested? We’ll walk you thr...
Off-site 2016
A sneak peek into how we build our team, mission and vision for the year to come.
Javascript: A case for fake it until you make it
A look back at what happened at FullStack 2015 Conference.
Business Models — Stay fresh, stay healthy.
ICT had a big impact on fundamental assumptions of business model design. We line out key factors that influence existing paradigms of the old economy and ...
Holacracy and the challenges of self-organization
A look back on our third Meetup on Alternative Leadership and Team Organization.
How to get a hang of service innovation
Hi, I’m Lara. This summer I had the chance to intern at SI Labs and get a glimpse of what it means to create services and business models from scratch…
Being Visual Workshop
In May Mauro Rego gave us a visit with a full day workshop on visual thinking. Have a look at what we did…
7 details to keep in mind for insightful user tests
With every user test you conduct, there are new aspects you learn about the process of testing. By sharing our learnings, we hope to further expand on the ...
Sommerfest 2015
Thank you to everyone who joined us for our Sommerfest 2015 at Service Innovation Labs. A wonderful afternoon with our team and friends.
Developing brands beyond guidelines
In part two of our series ‘the role of design in business’ we focus on the intersection of brand development and service design. How can a consistent brand...
More than a numbers game: the Open Data Science Conference in Boston
About 1,250 working or aspiring data scientists and some of the most prominent figures in the field gathered on this hot and humid early summer weekend in ...
The role of design in business
When most people think about design – for example in the automobile industry – they think about the looks of a car, details of the interior and exterior, t...
How co-creation helped us setting up a flexible lab space
In our attempt to improve our working environment, we not only asked the Service Innovation Labs co-workers but also tapped the ideas and knowledge of the ...