Most organizations have no idea how much they spend on coordination. This calculator uses the 4M framework to estimate your overhead.
The 4M Framework
Coordination overhead comes from four sources:
- Meetings — Time spent in coordination meetings (standups, syncs, status updates)
- Messages — Time spent reading/responding to coordination emails and chats
- Management — Headcount dedicated to coordination (project managers, coordinators)
- Movement — Time work spends waiting vs. being actively worked on
Calculate Your Coordination Tax
Enter your organization's numbers below. Be honest—this is for you, not for anyone else.
4M Calculator
Meetings
Messages
Management
Movement
Your Coordination Tax
$10,558
per week
$549,000
per year
37%
Heavy overhead
What Your Score Means
Under 20%: Lean Coordination
Your coordination overhead is remarkably low. You likely have clear processes, transparent information, and autonomous teams. Keep doing what you're doing.
20–35%: Well-Run Organization
This is normal for most organizations. You have coordination overhead, but it's not crippling. There's room for improvement, but you're not in crisis.
35–50%: Heavy Overhead
You're spending more on coordination than on actual work. This is where most large organizations operate. There's significant opportunity to reduce waste.
Over 50%: Coordination Crisis
Your organization is spending more time coordinating than creating value. This is unsustainable. You need structural change, not process improvement.
What to Do Next
If your score is above 35%, consider implementing OrbaOS. The methodology is designed to reduce coordination overhead by 40–60% within 90 days.