departmentsthe
Departmentsthe is a term used in organizational design to describe a governance approach that treats departments as components of thematic clusters rather than fixed silos. In this model, work is organized around strategic themes—such as customer experience, product enablement, or regional growth—across traditional department boundaries.
The term is a portmanteau of departments and themes, and is often used to discuss novel approaches
Structure and practice: Thematic clusters cut across functional lines; teams are formed around themes with cross-functional
Implementation considerations: Requires clear governance, change management, and consistent data definitions; risk of coordination overhead if
Benefits and challenges: Potential improvements in collaboration, speed, and customer focus; but challenges include cultural resistance,
Relation to other models: Shares goals with matrix organizations and program management but differs by emphasizing
Examples and status: The term appears in academic and consulting discussions and has been piloted in some