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How to plan team reorganizations

As an engineering leader, you'll have to face team reorganizations at some point. Here is a tried-and-true method from Yelp's David Kiger.
August 13, 2024

6 minutes

Sometimes the shape of your organization no longer fits the needs of the business. When that happens, how do you go about a reorg without causing chaos?

At some point in every leadership career, the need for a reorganization arises. Whether it’s due to a growing (or shrinking) business, communication breakdowns being reflected in the system (Conway’s Law), or a misalignment in responsibilities as roles evolve in the team, the gears of your group are no longer cleanly meshing. Changing the organizational structure is inherently risky, and executing it well requires planning and preparation.

Evolution or dynamite

When it’s time for change, I always ask: can our teams evolve naturally, or do I need to set off the proverbial dynamite? Ideally, we’re in the first camp, but every now and then, a more drastic approach is necessary.

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