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  • March 2010 (Revised August 2010)
  • Supplement
  • HBS Case Collection

Systems Infrastructure at Google (B)

By: Linda A. Hill and Emily Stecker
  • Format:Print
  • | Language:English
  • | Pages:9
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Abstract

This case is a thick description of how a Senior Vice President of Engineering at Google, Bill Coughran, leads a high-performing engineering organization. The case focuses specifically on Coughran's use of encouraging two teams of engineers to develop competing solutions for application storage systems. It also shows how Coughran assembled an informal brain trust of managers and technical leaders that assist him in leading his 2,000-person organization. This case will be relevant for those interested in what it takes to lead for sustained innovation, particularly of knowledge workers like engineers. It also sheds light on how to develop leaders in engineering organizations.

Keywords

Innovation Leadership; Infrastructure; Management Teams; Leadership Development; Information Technology Industry

Citation

Hill, Linda A., and Emily Stecker. "Systems Infrastructure at Google (B)." Harvard Business School Supplement 410-111, March 2010. (Revised August 2010.)
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About The Authors

Linda A. Hill

Organizational Behavior
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Emily Truelove

Organizational Behavior
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Related Work

    • March 2010 (Revised August 2010)
    • Faculty Research

    Systems Infrastructure at Google (B)

    By: Linda A. Hill and Emily Stecker
Related Work
  • Systems Infrastructure at Google (B) By: Linda A. Hill and Emily Stecker
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