When we talk about our Cell Structure Organization, we mean the way in which teams are designed and how they work together. Our equivalent to an Orgchart is the Collaboration Model (or Collab Model) in which we depict the value creation structure.
A Cell is a stable cross-functional team of 5-9 people working together over a longer time to deliver one or more well-defined values. There are no Cells consisting only of roles with the same skills. Cells deliver their value/service/product end-to-end with as few external dependencies on other teams as possible. We draw a team as a circle with the roles/people in it.
Those who work directly for customers and for a specific market/Persona. We draw them in the Periphery circle. Customers are assigned to specific cells. Roles around sales, customer projects, most direct customer services, and customer-specific customizations are by definition located in the Periphery. But also specific product components should be in the Periphery whenever possible. This is where the customers are and where the money is.
<aside> 💡 Every Cell in the Periphery works directly with customers, but not every person in a Periphery Cell is, by definition, in constant contact with customers.
</aside>
There are also Cells that provide services to the Cells in the Periphery. We draw them in the center of the Collab Model. The provided services can be directly related to customer value creation, such as the standardized component of services/products that are used across multiple markets/Personas. In addition, all the services required to keep the company running that are not directly related to customer-facing value streams, such as financial roles, administrative roles, and people-focused roles, are located in the Center.
<aside> 💡 Center Cells are not directly responsible for customer interaction. But of course, individuals in Center Cells can be in direct contact with customers on behalf of Periphery Cells if it is beneficial to our business.
</aside>
A Cell does not have a manager. A Cell is fully responsible for defining and providing their service/product within the framework of the Constitution and the Context. All relevant decisions are made within the Cell - the whole Cell is responsible, not one person.