--- title: Functionly | Herman Vantrappen description: Herman Vantrappen, Managing Director of Akordeon, is a thought leader in organization design and co-author of influential strategy guides. image: https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/HV%20-%20headshot.jpeg --- [![Functionly Logo](https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/Functionly%20Logo.svg) ](https://www.functionly.com/?hsLang=en) [Features ](https://www.functionly.com/author/herman-vantrappen#) ## Chart the course to your future org Visualize your workforce by unifying people data across systems, and design the future-state structure your strategy demands.  [Features ](https://www.functionly.com/features?hsLang=en) #### [![Group 1208-1](https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/Group%201208-1.svg) Data, Integrations, AI  & Templates🫰🏼 Visualize your org instantly and keep it updated automatically. 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[Use cases ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases?hsLang=en) [Restructures ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/restructures?hsLang=en) [Workforce expansion ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/workforce-expansion?hsLang=en) [Reduction in workforce (RIF) ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/reduction-in-workforce?hsLang=en) [Mergers & acquisitions ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/mergers-and-acquisitions?hsLang=en) [Annual strategic planning ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/annual-strategic-planning?hsLang=en) [New executives ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/new-executives?hsLang=en) [Executive accountability ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/executive-accountability?hsLang=en) [New strategic direction ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/new-strategic-direction?hsLang=en) [Preparing for org change ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/preparing-for-org-change?hsLang=en) [Pricing ](https://www.functionly.com/pricing?hsLang=en) [Resources ](https://www.functionly.com/author/herman-vantrappen#) ## The Org Design Podcast The only podcast focused on org design, where thinkers and doers unpack what makes healthy teams work. [Listen ](https://www.functionly.com/org-design-podcast?hsLang=en) #### [![Group 1321](https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/Group%201321.svg) Orginometry blog Read the latest trends impacting org design. Read](https://www.functionly.com/orginometry?hsLang=en) #### [![Group 1320](https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/Group%201320.svg) Case studies Discover best practices from success stories. Discover](https://functionly.com/case-studies) #### [![Group 1322](https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/Group%201322.svg) Help center Explore Functionly product how-to’s. Learn](https://www.functionly.com/help?hsLang=en) #### [![Group 1323](https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/Group%201323.svg) Expert program Contribute to our org design blog or podcast. 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Learn more](https://www.functionly.com/help/getting-started?hsLang=en) [ Login ](https://labs.functionly.com/) [Free Trial ](https://labs.functionly.com/sign-up) [ Features ](https://www.functionly.com/author/herman-vantrappen#) [ Features Overview ](https://www.functionly.com/features?hsLang=en) [ Data, Integrations, AI & Templates ](https://www.functionly.com/features/data-integrations-ai-templates?hsLang=en) [ Groups, Dotted-lines, Accountabilities ](https://www.functionly.com/features/groups-dotted-lines-accountabilities?hsLang=en) [ Scenarios, Forecasts, Change Planning ](https://www.functionly.com/features/scenarios-forecasts-change-planning?hsLang=en) [ Collaboration, Sharing, Security ](https://www.functionly.com/features/collaboration-sharing-security?hsLang=en) [ Use Cases ](https://www.functionly.com/author/herman-vantrappen#) [ Restructures ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/restructures?hsLang=en) [ Workforce Expansion ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/workforce-expansion?hsLang=en) [ Reduction in Workforce (RIF) ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/reduction-in-workforce?hsLang=en) [ Mergers and Acquisitions ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/mergers-and-acquisitions?hsLang=en) [ Annual Strategic Planning ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/annual-strategic-planning?hsLang=en) [ New Executives ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/new-executives?hsLang=en) [ Executive Accountability ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/executive-accountability?hsLang=en) [ New Strategic Direction ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/new-strategic-direction?hsLang=en) [ Preparing for Org Change ](https://www.functionly.com/use-cases/preparing-for-org-change?hsLang=en) [ Pricing ](https://www.functionly.com/pricing?hsLang=en) [ Resources ](https://www.functionly.com/author/herman-vantrappen#) [ Org Design Podcast ](https://www.functionly.com/org-design-podcast?hsLang=en) [ Orginometry Blog ](https://www.functionly.com/orginometry?hsLang=en) [ Case Studies ](https://functionly.com/case-studies) [ Help Center ](https://www.functionly.com/help?hsLang=en) [ Expert program ](https://www.functionly.com/expert-guest-referral?hsLang=en) [ Get Started ](https://www.functionly.com/author/herman-vantrappen#) [ Test drive ](https://labs.functionly.com/template/t_cxWhVCXifPHMVPhG-functionly-demo/) [ Templates ](https://www.functionly.com/org-chart-templates?hsLang=en) [ Partners ](https://www.functionly.com/partners?hsLang=en) [ Guided demo ](https://www.functionly.com/product-demo?hsLang=en) [ New user guide ](https://www.functionly.com/help/getting-started?hsLang=en) # Author: Herman Vantrappen ![HV - headshot](https://www.functionly.com/hs-fs/hubfs/HV%20-%20headshot.jpeg?width=800&height=800&name=HV%20-%20headshot.jpeg) [**](https://akordeon.com/)   [**](https://www.linkedin.com/in/herman-vantrappen-17407b281/)     Herman Vantrappen is a distinguished Managing Director at Akordeon, a strategic advisory firm based in Brussels that specializes in business strategy and organization design. With decades of experience as a management consultant, including nearly 25 years as a partner at Arthur D. Little, he has developed a profound understanding of how effective organization design can drive performance and facilitate complex change. Vantrappen is recognized as a thought leader in his field, co-authoring "The Organization Design Guide: A Pragmatic Framework for Thoughtful, Efficient and Successful Redesigns," which serves as a comprehensive resource for executives and teams navigating the intricacies of organizational restructuring. His work emphasizes the importance of a dynamic and holistic approach to organization design, integrating both strategy and structure as interdependent elements essential for organizational success. He advocates for a pragmatic framework that encompasses all stages of design—from setting objectives to detailed implementation and ongoing adjustments—ensuring that organizations remain agile and responsive to changing environments. Vantrappen's philosophy underscores the need for collaboration among stakeholders, leveraging insights from both senior executives and frontline employees to foster meaningful and sustainable changes. In addition to his advisory role, Vantrappen is a sought-after speaker and podcast guest, regularly sharing his insights on strategic alignment and the practical realities of redesigning organizations. His contributions to leading management journals, including the Harvard Business Review and MIT Sloan Management Review, further solidify his status as a prominent figure in the discourse on organization design. Overall, Herman Vantrappen's expertise and thought leadership in organization design enable him to help leaders and organizations navigate complex challenges with clarity and effectiveness. ## Content by Author: [Leadership](https://www.functionly.com/orginometry/tag/leadership?hsLang=en), [Org Charts](https://www.functionly.com/orginometry/tag/org-charts?hsLang=en), [Decision rights](https://www.functionly.com/orginometry/tag/decision-rights?hsLang=en), 22/05/25 #### [Friction by Design: Why Your Org Chart Might Be the Real Problem with Herman Vantrappen](https://www.functionly.com/org-design-podcast/friction-by-design-with-herman-vantrappen?hsLang=en) By: Herman Vantrappen Load more ![load-more](https://www.functionly.com/hubfs/Functionly_2020/Images/blog.svg) ## Get started now Your first step towards a more effective organization. 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