Ben Waber reviewed Shaping Science by Janet Vertesi
An Incredible Ethnographic Examination of NASA Teams
5 stars
Vertesi has put together an incredible book, using ethnography to investigate NASA's unique organizational and team structure and how these teams make decisions. Importantly these teams differ from most outside NASA by virtue of being tied to specific missions - some of which can literally last an entire career. Beyond that, positions within teams are essentially locked in place for the duration. We get a front seat view to the complexities and eccentricities that structure engenders, as well as how the technical systems and scientific goals of the missions themselves shape how these teams and organizations function. Obviously as an ethnography focusing on extremely unique organizations caveats about generalizability apply, and as any of my students know I never like using network diagrams to make scientific claims. However for those interested in management, work, science, or how to do ethnographic research, this is a must read. Highly recommend
Vertesi has put together an incredible book, using ethnography to investigate NASA's unique organizational and team structure and how these teams make decisions. Importantly these teams differ from most outside NASA by virtue of being tied to specific missions - some of which can literally last an entire career. Beyond that, positions within teams are essentially locked in place for the duration. We get a front seat view to the complexities and eccentricities that structure engenders, as well as how the technical systems and scientific goals of the missions themselves shape how these teams and organizations function. Obviously as an ethnography focusing on extremely unique organizations caveats about generalizability apply, and as any of my students know I never like using network diagrams to make scientific claims. However for those interested in management, work, science, or how to do ethnographic research, this is a must read. Highly recommend