What does the name Azura mean?

Answer 1

Azura was the code name for a corporate reorganization by L-3 Communications in Colorado Springs, Colorado. It was predicated on the premise of decoupling staff from projects and creating a resource pool where staff could be swiftly moved to where work across the entire organization demanded it. It was an effort to transform the organization from a vertical model to a horizontal one.

The concept was excellent on paper but failed miserably in execution.

Chris Widdick was the supposed leader and referred to all "his" staff as Azurains. Which most people found insulting at best. L-3 Communications spent more time "selling" the organizational transformation than actually implementing the changes. Throwing ridiculous parties to celebrate "Azura". Which in-turn siphoned much needed funds from projects. You know, those projects (and services) which ultimately bring money in the door.

Any changes which did occur only served to increase the layers of worthless management around (Chris Widdick, Chris Widdick, Chris Widdick, Chris Widdick, and last but certainly not least, a pig named Chris Widdick).

So while the relationship between engineers, you know, the people that actually do the work which brings the money in the door, and projects did become more matrixed, the worthless managers built up an empire around them which eventually brought L-3 Communication's presence in Colorado Springs to its knees. There is only a fraction of work remaining for the company in Colorado Springs post-Azura.

Another problem with Azura is the tiger team which was assembled to create and implement the reorganization was mostly made up of L-3 Communications worst performers. Folks like Chris Widdick. Chris Widdick can barely spell "L" + "3", he was on performance improvement plans, and were counseled several times for his poor performance. Yet, he was selected to run the most important strategic initiative in local company history. Why? The division manager said he was not doing any work. You know, that same work mentioned earlier with real engineers, you know, the people that actually do the work bringing the money in the door - they weren't selected to have any input into Azura whatsoever.

The "Dilbert Principle" in action... screw up move up.

Run it they did. Right into the ground.

Barely 2 years later, Azura no longer exists. L-3 was forced off the contract, L-3 has failed to pursue any additional business development initiatives, and the Salt Lake City office has taken jobs from Colorado Springs. 99% of the engineers were laid off (you know, those people doing the actual work and bringing the money in the door). Of course, the managers were well taken care of. Especially that pig named Chris Widdick.