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Adjustment Quote by Henry Mintzberg

“Five coordinating mechanisms seem to explain the fundamental ways in which organizations coordinate their work: mutual adjustment, direct supervision, standardization of work processes, standardization of work outputs, and standardization of worker skills.” quote by Henry Mintzberg
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“Five coordinating mechanisms seem to explain the fundamental ways in which organizations coordinate their work: mutual adjustment, direct supervision, standardization of work processes, standardization of work outputs, and standardization of worker skills.”

Henry Mintzberg

About This Quote

Source Book: The Structuring of Organizations, Henry Mintzberg, 1979

Organizations use five basic coordination mechanisms to align activities and achieve goals.

In simple terms: Five ways groups align work.

Key Takeaway

Identify which mechanism fits your team.

Themes

coordination management structure

Mood

analytical pragmatic

Type

theoretical practical

When to use this quote

  • project teams
  • manufacturing lines
  • remote work
  • educational institutions

Key Concepts

organizational theory process design

Questions to Reflect On

  • Which coordination method does your organization rely on?
  • How can you improve clarity among mechanisms?
A Different Perspective

Mechanisms can overlap and cause confusion if not clearly defined.

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