The keys to role clarity in organization design.

1. JR Joaquín Roca
Structural AEIOUs
In order to ensure your organization structure is clear and can scale, make sure you’ve covered your AEIOUs:
 Accountability
o Make sure everyone knows what they are accountable for and the metrics you’ll be using to hold
them accountable.
o The person who is accountable for outcomes is authorized to guide the overall process and has
control over resources.
 Execution
o Make sure everyone knows who’ll actually do the work. Often this is not the person who’s
accountable, though it can be.
o A person with execution responsibilities is authorized to do the work. Ultimately they’re
responsible to the person who is accountable.
 Input
o Make sure everyone knows who will be providing input in order to give clarity, knowledge,
expertise, etc.
o A person with input responsibilities provides insight, but has no authority to dictate. They
should be available as a resource to those executing.
 Oversight
o Make sure it’s clear who has oversight. This can be a formal reporting relationship, or some
other system that provides checks and balances.
o Someone with oversight holds others accountable and, if necessary, overrides decisions. They’re
responsible for giving feedback and making sure work is done.
 Update
o Make sure the appropriate people are kept in the loop and know what’s going on whenever there
are dependencies or vested interests.
o Some people will expect to receive updates with regards to changes in scope or expected
completion dates. Make sure those updates happen.
me@JoaquinRoca.com Structure AEIOUs
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