Work Without Jobs

Winning organizations of the future must “deconstruct” and “reconstruct” the current work paradigm.

As the gig economy and technological advances in areas such as artificial intelligence (AI) disrupt the traditional workplace, organizations must develop new approaches to the future of work. Traditionally, employers “constructed” work into specific job descriptions – featuring skills, remuneration, awards and performance reviews. Future-oriented organizations must deconstruct and reconstruct traditional jobs.

Deconstruction refers to breaking jobs down into their main components – projects and tasks – and reconsidering the strengths of current jobholders’ skills and capabilities. Reconstruction means reassembling the elements of a job from assigning tasks to making the best use of specific employee strengths. 

Just as different computers and devices have different operating systems, workplaces also have operating systems of their own. Traditional work operating systems create a framework that supports certain job hierarchies, titles and qualifications while also supporting connections...