> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://adizes-institute.gitbook.io/adizes/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://adizes-institute.gitbook.io/adizes/wiki/bureaucracy-bureaucratic-organization.md).

# Bureaucracy; Bureaucratic Organization

Organizational style (--A-).

One of the aging stages of the organizational lifecycle, characterized by dominance of systems and rules that paralyze the organization and keep it from changing. In this stage all external focus has been lost, and only the organization’s administrative procedures remain. Form has completely replaced function. A Bureaucratic organization cannot produce effectively since it has lost its entrepreneurial ability and ability to integrate. Bureaucracy is the stage preceding Death.