Work Modes Using Autonomy and Definition Clarity Quadrant - Manager Frameworks and Tools Series
Feb 27, 2025
Delve into a fascinating quadrant tool that categorizes work modes based on autonomy and definition. Discover how collaboration thrives in highly exploratory efforts, while defined tasks shine with individual autonomy. Learn why optimization often skews towards the most autonomous processes and how dependency-heavy projects may hold lower value. Explore the potential pitfalls of unguided exploration and consider the balance needed for effective team management.
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This episode introduces a simple quadrant tool to visualise different working modes that a team or individual task might be in, based on levels of autonomy and definition.
Understand how the quadrant is built using the X-axis of dependency (high to low) and the Y-axis of definition (high to low) to visualise different work modes.
Explore how the bottom left quadrant represents work that is highly exploratory and highly dependent, often requiring collaboration across multiple departments.
Learn how a "spike" usually fits into the bottom right quadrant, signifying autonomous exploration.
Discover how the top left quadrant is for work that is highly dependent but highly defined, such as a migration project or adopting a new tool.
Understand how the top right quadrant represents work that is the most defined and the most autonomous, typically a singular task assigned to an individual.
Recognise that many development frameworks focus on optimising work to fit in the top right quadrant to improve flow by reducing dependencies.
Consider that the top left quadrant is often the lowest value production due to high dependencies without creative thinking.
Realise that exploratory work, if unguided, can be a liability, and it may be useful to involve more people in the exploration or ensure the individual has significant experience.
Be aware that processes are often optimised for tasks in the top right quadrant, potentially leading to the avoidance of work in other quadrants.
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