Hannes Alton

ORGANIZATIONAL ARCHITECT

Designing organizations that make sense – innovative, intuitive, functional.


Clarity, systemic thinking, and the courage to explore new paths - that’s what it takes.



About Me

I’ve always known I wanted to work with people. Especially within the complex dynamics of social systems. During my studies in sociology and economics, I became deeply fascinated by the relationship between people and organizations.


That’s when I first encountered the fields of organizational design and systems thinking. One question has guided me ever since: How can organizations work better? The deeper I explored that question, the more convinced I became that organizations can be deliberately designed. What began as a belief has grown into the foundation of my work.


Milestones That Shaped My Path

My journey began in Milan, where I helped build HR structures and completed a corporate Lean Management training - including my certification as a Site Continuous Improvement Leader. That experience fundamentally changed how I view value creation and organizational efficiency.


Back in my hometown of Bruneck, I deepened my expertise with a certification in Business Process Management (BPM), learning how to analyze, document and improve processes to enhance efficiency.


International projects took me to England, Sweden, Germany and China offering new perspectives and enriching my professional development. Working with people from diverse cultures was both inspiring and eye-opening, especially in observing how organizations across the globe respond to change.


After 13 years in the automotive industry, I took on a new challenge as CHRO  for an international group. It was a meaningful experience but I realized my true purpose lay elsewhere:


Supporting companies in discovering and unlocking their full potential.


Portrait of Hannes Alton - organizational design expert and systems thinker

Today, I work with leaders of international corporations and mid-sized businesses to co-create organizations that provide clarity, enable growth and deliver meaningful impact.


My Guiding Principles


Vision

Designing organizations that make sense. Innovative in concept, functional in design, intuitive in practice.

 

Credo

Clear structures. Adaptive systems. Meaningful work.

 

Mission

Designing future-fit organizations.


These principles are grounded in the belief that every effective design must emerge from context. Not be imposed from the outside. 

Thoughtful organizational design leads to:

  • Clarity - around goals, responsibilities and decision rights
  • Focus - on what truly moves the organization forward
  • Structure and flexibility - to navigate complexity with confidence



As Certified als Organisation Design Professional (CODP®), I am part of a global network of recognized experts in organizational design.

Certified Organization Design Professional (CODP®) – international certification

If you'd like to stay in touch or learn more about my work, feel free to connect with me on LinkedIn.


My Services at a Glance

Future-Fit Organizations

Measures only have lasting impact when they’re structurally embedded. In a dynamic world, organizations need both clear principles and the ability to adapt continuously.

 

I support organizations in designing future-fit systems by:

 

  • applying the Viable System Model (VSM) for structural analysis
  • developing adaptable, intuitive, and functional organizational structures
  • strengthening teams and leadership capabilities
  • introducing effective steering mechanisms like OKRs
  • facilitating transformation processes from start to finish
  • I also help redesign and optimize business processes, using BPM and Theory of Constraints (ToC) to identify bottlenecks and drive improvement.

 

Goal: Greater clarity, adaptive structures, stronger collaboration and an organization capable of evolving from within.

 

For leaders, founders, HR and OE professionals looking to future-proof their organization.

Icon representing Future-Fit Organizations – connected points symbolizing adaptive networks

Future-Fit HR

HR is more than a service function. It's a strategic business partner in long-term transformation. I support companies in building future-fit HR capabilities through:


  • developing data-driven HR strategies
  • implementing people analytics
  • strategic workforce and succession planning
  • identifying and developing high-potentials
  • modern career pathing
  • shaping future-oriented working models


Goal: An HR function that not only keeps up with change, but drives it.


For HR leads, department heads, and HR teams.

Icon for Future-Fit HR – person with upward arrows indicating HR transformation and growth

Hands-On Trainings

Real change happens in practice, not theory. My trainings deliver actionable insights and hands-on learning:

 

  • Organizational Design & Development
  • HR Strategy, People Analytics & Strategic Workforce Planning
  • Future of Work & Change Management

 

Participants work individually, in teams, or across the organization to create solutions directly applicable to their work.

 

Goal: Practical learning that sticks and makes a difference.

 

For professionals in organization, HR, or change management or those preparing to enter the field.

Icon for Practical Trainings – lightbulb with gear representing applied learning and innovation

Uncharted - Discovery Space for Organizational Insight

Some topics don't fit into conventional formats.



Under the name Uncharted, I develop exploratory spaces that are open, collective and experimental - formats like Sparring, Collectives, Labs or Expeditions.


They create space for new insights, shared experience and deeper understanding.


More coming soon - or on request.

Uncharted - Discovery Space for Organizational Insight

If you're curious about how I work or if you'd like to explore whether my approach fits your organization:

Let's talk.