They creep into every company – projects, processes or beliefs that are long outdated. But why do we hold on to them? Find out how to identify these Zombie Ideas and bury them for good.
What Are Zombie Ideas?
Zombie Ideas are ideas, processes or projects that have long since ceased to make sense – and yet continue to exist.
Like real zombies, they wander through companies: hard to kill, often ignored, but always present.
The concept comes from researcher Maximilian Nagel, who has identified ten reasons why such ideas survive. They are usually based on convenience, power structures or old habits.
Disasters Caused by Zombie Ideas: Examples from NASA
Two of the most famous tragedies in space travel show how dangerous Zombie Ideas can be:
- The Challenger disaster in 1986: A brittle sealing ring that could not withstand cold temperatures led to an explosion immediately after take-off.
- The Columbia disaster in 2003: A piece of insulating foam damaged the wing, causing it to break apart on re-entry into the atmosphere.
Both disasters had one thing in common: earlier warning signs were ignored. Damage to sealing rings and insulation foam falling off were already known – but because "it always went well", these risks were dismissed as unimportant.
A classic Zombie Idea: Problems that are known but suppressed out of routine or political pressure.
Zombie Ideas in Everyday Corporate Life
Even if you probably don't see any rockets going up into space in your day-to-day work, there are such "undead" in almost every company:
- Outdated processes: The department that still prints out and files emails "because that's how we've always done it".
- Pointless projects: The digital mailbox that contributes nothing to the core business but is the board's pet project.
- False beliefs: "We know exactly what our customers want" – even if reality has long since spoken a different language.
These examples show: Zombie Ideas are often convenient or protect the ego of individual decision-makers.
Why Do Zombie Ideas Survive?
Maximilian Nagel lists ten reasons why Zombie Ideas are so persistent. Here are a few of the most common:
- Path dependency: "We've always done it this way."
- Power structures: Projects that originate from managers are rarely questioned.
- Beliefs: Beliefs that support the self-image remain untouched.
- Repression of risks: As long as nothing bad happens, the fact that something could go wrong is ignored.
How to Get Rid of Zombie Ideas
Zombie ideas don't disappear on their own and it's rarely enough for just one person to fight them. Here's how to do it:
1. Recognize the Zombies
Ask yourself: Which processes or projects are regularly scrutinized during the coffee break?
If everyone secretly agrees that something is nonsense, then you've probably discovered a Zombie Idea.
2. Understand the Cause
Find out why this idea is still alive. Is it about power, convenience or old habits?
Only if you know the cause can you take targeted action against it.
3. Ask Specific Questions
Use targeted questions to expose Zombie Ideas:
- "Do we stick to processes just because they are traditional and not because they work?"
- "Is criticism not treated objectively, but as a personal attack?"
- "Are there projects that hardly anyone seriously supports, but which continue to run because they come from the top?"
4. Work as a Team
As in any good zombie movie: You won't survive long on your own.
So: look for allies who are also prepared to fight against useless ideas, projects and processes. As a first step, you should always name the zombie you have discovered and present it to those responsible. Then you can work together to get rid of it.
Conclusion: Zombies Can Be Defeated
Zombie Ideas are more than just minor annoyances in everyday working life – they block innovation, waste resources and, in the worst case, can jeopardize entire projects or companies.
But the good news is that these undead ideas are not invincible. With the right awareness, a systematic approach and working together as a team, you can get rid of outdated projects, processes and beliefs. Every company is capable of doing this – if you are prepared to take a closer look, ask uncomfortable questions and bury old ways of thinking.
Good luck on your journey to becoming a "zombie-free" company!
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