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ORG-DESIGN5 MIN READ

Sort the symptom: span, boundary, or layer?

Classify common pain signals into span, boundary, or layer problems.

Place each symptom in the bucket that best explains it. Span problem Boundary problem Layer problem One manager is the only person who can unblock routine work across five teams A routine customer change crosses three teams because the journey is split by function A policy committee approves every minor tool choice for product teams A director spends most of the week arbitrating unlike specialist teams The same API contract causes quarterly planning fights between two teams Temporary integration meetings from last year are still deciding this quarter’s work

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