Core Concepts: How Kyndof Thinks About Work
Welcome to the foundational frameworks that shape how we operate at Kyndof. These are not just corporate buzzwords or HR policies - they are practical tools that help us make better decisions, collaborate more effectively, and deliver value to our customers.
Why We Have Frameworks
Startups are chaotic by nature. New challenges emerge daily, team members change, and priorities shift. Without shared mental models, we would spend more time debating how to work than actually working.
Our frameworks solve three critical problems:
Problem 1: "Who should do this?" When responsibilities are unclear, work either gets duplicated or falls through cracks. Our RABSIC framework ensures every task has clear ownership.
Problem 2: "Is my work good enough?" Without shared standards, quality becomes subjective. Our working principles define what excellence looks like here.
Problem 3: "Does my work matter?" Individual effort feels meaningless when disconnected from outcomes. Our value stream thinking connects every task to customer value.
The Mental Models
Value Streams: Seeing the Whole Picture
A value stream maps the complete journey from initial input (like a market trend) to final output (like a satisfied customer). At Kyndof, we think in value streams because:
- Your work is never isolated. Every task connects to something before it and something after it.
- One failure breaks everything. If any link in the chain fails, the customer receives zero value.
- "My part is done" is never enough. Success means the next person can successfully continue.
Learn how value streams work at Kyndof
Working Principles: Our Shared Standards
We operate as a professional sports team - performance matters, but so does how we treat each other. Our principles answer:
- What do we value when values conflict?
- What behaviors are non-negotiable?
- How do we handle underperformance?
Explore our working principles
RABSIC: Clear Accountability
Every decision needs exactly one person who is accountable for the outcome. RABSIC is our enhanced accountability framework that defines six roles:
- Responsible - Who does the work
- Accountable - Who owns the outcome (exactly one person)
- Backup - Who steps in when R is unavailable
- Support - Who actively helps
- Informed - Who needs to know after decisions
- Consulted - Whose input we need before deciding
How These Concepts Connect
These frameworks are not separate islands. They work together:
Value Stream defines WHAT needs to happen
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RABSIC assigns WHO does each part
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Working Principles guide HOW we do it
When you receive a new task:
- Locate it in a value stream. What comes before? What comes after? What breaks if you fail?
- Check the RABSIC. Who is Responsible? Who must you consult? Who needs to be informed?
- Apply working principles. Is this high-impact work? Are you shipping fast enough? Are you helping or blocking teammates?
For New Employees
If you are just starting at Kyndof:
- Start with Working Principles - Understand the culture first
- Then read Value Streams - See how your work fits the bigger picture
- Finally, learn RABSIC - Know who to go to for what
Do not try to memorize everything at once. These concepts will become intuitive as you apply them to real work. When in doubt, ask your team lead or refer back to these pages.
Quick Reference
| Concept | One-Line Summary | When to Use |
|---|---|---|
| Value Streams | See how value flows from idea to customer | Planning work, understanding impact |
| Working Principles | Our shared standards and values | Making behavior choices |
| RABSIC | Who does what, who decides | Any task with multiple people |
Navigation:
- Up: How We Work
- Related: Making Decisions, Communication Norms