A key component of my research agenda is focused on the methods and considerations used to design management methods, processes, and systems. I am constantly working on developing better design methodologies and practices and exploring considerations for design. Much of this “research” is based on practice and either action research or case studies. My research on management design integrates ideas and concepts from product and service designers, appreciative inquiry, systems thinking, social construction, into the process and framework for designing leadership and management systems. In addition, one of my main interest areas is the design for sustainability. This research and practice stream produced the Management Design Framework described in Latham (2012).
Status
Ongoing – I continue to explore and adapt design methods and approaches including tools, techniques, technologies.
Publications (selected)
Latham, J. R. (2013). How much does your organization weigh? INNOVATION, 32(2), 4. | Read more | Download
Latham, J. R. (2012). Management system design for sustainable excellence: Framework, practices and considerations. Quality Management Journal, 19(2), 15. | Read more | Download
This paper was recognized with the 2013 Gryna Award from the American Society for Quality. The Gryna Award is “presented for the paper that made the largest contribution to the extension of understanding and knowledge of the philosophy, principles, or methods of quality management during the past year.”
Latham, J. R. (2012). Latham’s response to commentaries. Quality Management Journal, 19(2), 3. | Download
Latham, J. R. (2009). Complex system design: Creating sustainable change in the mortgage-finance system. Quality Management Journal, 16(3), 7. | Read more | Download
Presentations (selected)
Beyond Market Research: Customer Empathy Maps | UNC BizHub | Greeley, CO | January 30, 2014 | The slides include example empathy maps from a startup company Virtjoule, Inc. | Read more | Download
Management System Design for Sustainable Excellence: Framework and Methodology | Paper Presentation | 5th International Conference Design Principles & Practices | Sapienza University of Rome | Facoltà di Architettura | February 2, 2011 | Read more | Download
Elevating and Integrating the Dimensions of Triple Bottom Line into the Strategic Management System | with Dr. John Grant | Baldrige Award Recipients (BAR) Consortium Fall Forum | New Orleans | October 2, 2008 | Download
The Mind of the Organization Architect | Keynote | California Council for Excellence Fall Best Practices Conference | Napa | September 21, 2007 | Download
Designing a Custom Leadership System: Process Design Studio | California Council for Excellence | Fall Excellence: A Full Harvest of Best Practices | Napa | September 20, 2007 | Download
Process Design Studio: A Baldrige-based Approach | Rocky Mountain Product Development and Management Association | Denver | March 15, 2007 | Download
Free Design Framework eBook
Reaching your organization’s full potential, demands organization and managerial systems that are custom tailored to your unique situation. This 65-page eBook (PDF) is an introduction to all the key elements of the award-winning, peer-reviewed Design Framework including the 8-step Discovery process and the Design, Development, Deployment, and Iterate phases. The book is based on both experience and research on organization and management system design.
