Organizations and it's age-characteristics

Disclaimer: This isn't a technology subject nor i am specialist in understanding both human and organizational behavior.

In January 2010, I was invited by my alumni CRY to celebrate it's completion of 30 years. While sitting there and meeting old colleagues, going through some old photographs and presentations - my mind went back and also intrigued by looking at presentation made there for every decade of what CRY has done. While the presentation refreshed memories - i was also looking at evolution of the organization through the stages of age-characteristics. Over the last 12-14 months where working with many ngo's/non-profits - i looked at their websites, talking to them, information provided by them, annual report etc - i found some patterns or manifestations in this sector. I have also found these patterns of evolutionary stages in the for-the-profit sector as well when i read newspaper/magazine articles or blogs or TV interviews or inter-acting with technology partners during my stint at CRY.


Give below is my collective experiences through some understanding in development jargon:


a. Survival and Protection - 1-15 years - where you will find typically the founders almost determine the course of action. High levels of energies, innovation/creativity at its peak, most of the people who come into the managerial level or founders are typically are generalists and/or loving mothers/father (more likely to find the word 'family'). Performance measurement through carrot and stick. Completely un-systematic, culture of 'WE', 'I' is bad word, poor infrastructure, people turnover is quite high. Collaboration with others are given as it's more of family. Information is not available in a documented fashion or with selected 'few' in their heads. Would likely to have at the end of 10-15 years- Mission and Vision written down.


b. Protection and Development- 16-30 years where you will find more structures and systems evolve; culture of group/committee, high levels of confusion - between old and new (i.e. 'WE' vs. ”I'), looking for specialist/professionals in their own field, questioning old belief's and thinking - thereby resulting in more debates, changing the course or evolution of strategies (at least short-term), questioning non-performance. (more likely to find the word 'organization', 'professionalism', 'strategy' in most of the dialogues). Collaboration with others are formal with more on relationships between Individuals. Information is available but in stand-alone. Founders/old guards take a back-seat - more in mentor's role or move out.


c. Development and Participation -31-45 year - Re-defining structures and systems, high levels of 'I' ness, new ways of thinking, collaboration with others are extremely formal (what is there for me), extreme specialization, People turnover may be lowest, little reverence to history, diversification, define strategic direction/vision (more likely to find the word 'performance, efficiency, bottom-line'), better infrastructure, high level of systems and structures. Mission and Vision will be re-written or enhanced. Information is moving towards integration.


For technologists - one critical aspect is to understand these evolutions and patterns before undertaking a project for creation or implementation.