The Murmuration Method
A framework for designing distributed coordination systems where global coordination emerges from local interactions, without sacrificing safety, quality, or strategic alignment.
A framework for designing distributed coordination systems where global coordination emerges from local interactions, without sacrificing safety, quality, or strategic alignment. Based on the biological principles that enable 50,000 starlings to coordinate without central control, the method adapts separation, alignment, and cohesion rules for organizational contexts.
When to Use The Murmuration Method
Use when centralized coordination becomes a bottleneck at scale (500+ people, distributed teams, complex operations). Signs include: frequent escalations, long approval times, teams surprised by others' decisions, local optimizations hurting global performance. Most critical after 100+ people when approval bottlenecks slow decision-making by >3 days.
How to Apply
Define the Rules
Choose one coordination bottleneck and define simple local rules using the three-rule framework: Separation (what boundaries must teams respect to avoid conflicts), Alignment (how teams sync with those affected by their decisions), Cohesion (what ties individual actions to organizational objectives).
Questions to Ask
- What could go wrong without central approval?
- What boundaries would prevent those problems?
- Can a new hire understand and apply these rules without management approval?
Outputs
- 3-5 core rules teams can memorize
- Observable and actionable rule definitions
Make It Visible
Teams need to 'see' their neighbors to coordinate. Implement visibility mechanisms: shared dashboards, real-time signal channels, public OKRs/roadmaps. Default to public unless information is sensitive.
Questions to Ask
- If Team A needs to coordinate with Team B, can they find the information they need in under 5 minutes?
- What information do teams need to see from neighbors?
- How will teams broadcast actions affecting others?
Outputs
- Shared dashboards (Jira, Slack, Linear)
- Real-time signal channels for deployments/incidents
- Public quarterly objectives and roadmaps
Let Go and Measure
Remove central approval for decisions governed by the rules. Run a 4-week pilot. Empower local decisions, enable temporary leadership, track outcomes. Leaders gain control by distributing it.
Questions to Ask
- What % of decisions are made locally vs. escalated? (target >80% local)
- What % of conflicts are resolved without escalation? (target >70% local)
- Has delivery speed improved without quality drop?
Outputs
- Flexibility metrics (local vs. escalated decisions)
- Coordination metrics (conflicts, escalation rates)
- Performance metrics (delivery speed, quality, satisfaction)