Rolesmending

Rolesmending is a structured approach to restoring clear and effective role responsibilities within a group or organization after disruption, ambiguity, or role erosion. The aim is to realign ownership, accountability, and authority to support coherent collaboration and decision-making.

The process typically includes assessment of current roles, mapping of responsibilities (often with a RACI or similar chart), clarification of boundaries, and negotiation among stakeholders to reach consensus on who does what.

Implementation involves updating role descriptions or charters, communicating changes to the team, and establishing governance mechanisms to monitor adherence. The method emphasizes iteration; reviews at regular intervals help catch drift.

Applications include corporate teams undergoing restructuring, cross-functional projects, open-source communities, and volunteer or family groups that experience unclear lines of authority.

Benefits include reduced overlap and duplication, faster decision-making, improved accountability, and lower role-related stress. It can also improve onboarding and performance evaluation by providing clearer expectations.

Challenges include resistance to change, political dynamics, and the risk of over-formalizing roles in ways that stifle adaptability. Success depends on leadership sponsorship, inclusive participation, and clear measurement.

Origin and usage: The compound term "rolesmending" appears in contemporary organizational-development discourse and is used as a practical label rather than a formal theory. It draws on traditions of role clarity, organizational design, and conflict resolution.