Definition
The excessive or counterproductive separation of information, responsibilities, or systems into isolated sections or divisions, preventing necessary communication, collaboration, or understanding of how parts relate to the whole.
Example Usage
The company's overcompartmentalization of departments meant that the left hand never knew what the right hand was doing, leading to duplicated efforts.
Origin
Modern English compound formed from 'compartmentalize' (from French 'compartiment') with the prefix 'over-' to indicate excess.
Fun Fact
The concept gained prominence during Cold War security discussions but is now commonly applied to corporate inefficiencies and organizational siloing.
Source: Definition backfill (hailey)
Related Terms
Translate This Term
See “overcompartmentalization” in Corporate Speak, Gen-Z Slang, Pirate Speak, and more.
Try the Translator