Teamwork Makes EDS an Information Powerhouse

Are teams and teamwork impor­tant? Don't ask that question of the folks at Electronic Data Systems (EDS) or they will laugh you out of the building! Management guru Tom Peters describes EDS as the world's largest project organi­zation in the world's zaniest indus­try: 72,000 smart people in bands of 10 who generate over $8 billion a year in revenues, while working in the information business, or more specifi­cally, the business of extracting, integrating, and applying knowledge. EDS assists client organiza­tions in the development of computer information systems designed to address and solve busi­ness problems. The firm's client organizations run the full gamut of types and sizes, including a $712 million contract with the Army, Navy, and Defence Logistics Agency for a "small multi-user computer project".

EDS consists, at any one time, of hundreds of project teams organized into 38 strategic business units designated according to indus­try served (transportation, health care, electronics, etc). In other words, EDS is just a big collection of loosely connected project teams, each containing normally 8 to 12 programmers and systems experts and lasting for a period of 9 to 18 months. What is fascinating about EDS is not so much that it is big and profitable, but that it runs effec­tively and efficiently with little hierarchy. The key seems to be a lot of informal communication within and between highly empowered, accountable, independent teams.

The EDS organization has a number of interesting character­istics: its formal team structure consists of individual per­formers, subproject team leaders, and formally designated team leaders, all of whom tend to report to one another; promotions and advancement happen informally through team member evolvement; members move on and off teams informally according to project needs, as project managers bid for, negotiate for, and "raid" members from other teams; communications and the spread of knowledge throughout the organization are also very informal; teams epitomize the "close to the customer" concept with team members working physically within the client organizations.

EDS has developed a successful blend of teamwork and team coordination that is the envy of project-oriented organizations in many fields of endeavour.

Although EDS is unusual in its size and level of success, it is not so rare in its use of self-managed teams. Jerry Junkins, CEO of Texas Instruments, says, "No matter what your business, these teams are the wave of the future". Being able to manage in a team environment - and to direct groups in general - has therefore become an important skill for today's managers.

1. Which of these statements expresses the main idea of the text?

a) It is unique hier­archy that makes EDS very profitable and famous.

b) The success of EDS is determined by an effective combination of teamwork and team coordination.

c) Remarkable achievements of EDS are connected with its unusual size and structure.

d) The tremendous power of EDS is in its ability to work “close to the customer”.

2. Find in the text English equivalents of these words and phrases.

3. Are these statements true or false? Correct the false ones.

a) EDS helps client organizations in solving business problems.

b) EDS delayed a special computer project for the Army, Navy, and Defense Logistics Agency.

c) Numerous strategic business units combined at EDS serve particular industries.

d) Profitability is the most attractive thing about EDS.

e) Among the interesting features of EDS is that project managers can take members from other teams.

f) Self-managed teams are unlikely to be very popular in the future.

4. Answer the questions.

a) What does information business mean?

b) What is the purpose of computer information systems?

c) What are the main characteristics of project teams at EDS?

d) In what way do promotions and advancement at EDS occur?

e) What does the "close to the customer" concept imply?

5. Write a short article (about 200 words) concerning EDS. Use the plan and the key words and phrases to help you.

The word’s largest project organization

the world’s largest project organization; information business; in bands of 10; to generate … in revenues; client organizations; the development of computer information systems; to run the full gamut.

The structure of EDS

to consist of; project teams; strategic business units; to contain; programmers and systems experts; to last; to run efficiently and effectively; with little hierarchy; informal communication; highly empowered, accountable, independent.

The main characteristics of the EDS organization

formal team structure; individual performers; subproject team leaders; formally designated team leaders; to report to; promotions and advancement; to happen informally; team member evolvement; to move on and off teams; according to project needs; communications; the spread of knowledge; to epitomize the concept; to work physically within the organization; a successful blend of teamwork and team coor­dination.

The prospects for teamwork

self-managed teams; the wave of the future; to manage in a team environment; an important skill.

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Date: 2015-01-02; view: 844