Greiner’s Growth Model is a framework that shows the different phases a company goes through to achieve growth. Each growth phase is made up of a period of relatively stable growth, followed by a “crisis” when major organizational change is needed if the company is to carry on growing.
Although the word “crisis” is often linked to a state of panic, it can also mean “turning point.” While companies certainly have to change at each of these points, if they properly plan ahead, there is no need for panic, and so we will call them “transitions.”
Stages
These evolutionary phases (and ensuing revolutionary phases) are:
- Growth through creativity which leads to a crisis of leadership.
- Growth through direction which leads to a crisis of autonomy
- Growth through decentralization which leads to a crisis of control
- Growth through coordination which leads to a crisis of red tape
- Growth through collaboration which leads to a crisis of internal growth (also dubbed the “consultation crisis”)
- Growth through alliances which leads to a crisis of identity ³
Resources
Lucidity Guide
Evolution and Revolution as Organizations Grow by Larry E. Greiner
Mindtools – Introduction