Location via proxy:   [ UP ]  
[Report a bug]   [Manage cookies]                
Scribd Logo
Upload

Welcome to Scribd!

  • 42 views

    Matrix Organizational Structures: IPE Home Assignment A Blog On

    Uploaded by

    Ameya Dalvi
    This document discusses matrix organizational structures. It begins by defining a matrix structure as combining two or more traditional structures, with team members reporting to both functional and project managers. The document then covers the origins of matrix structures in responding to complex aerospace projects. It outlines pros like sharing resources and developing skills, and cons such as potential role confusion. Overall, the document argues that matrix structures address the needs of large, complex projects better than traditional hierarchical approaches.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Matrix Organizational Structures: IPE Home Assignment A Blog On

    Uploaded by

    Ameya Dalvi
    42 views3 pages
    This document discusses matrix organizational structures. It begins by defining a matrix structure as combining two or more traditional structures, with team members reporting to both functional and project managers. The document then covers the origins of matrix structures in responding to complex aerospace projects. It outlines pros like sharing resources and developing skills, and cons such as potential role confusion. Overall, the document argues that matrix structures address the needs of large, complex projects better than traditional hierarchical approaches.

    Original Title

    Q18_IPE_HA.docx

    Copyright

    © © All Rights Reserved

    Available Formats

    DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd

    Did you find this document useful?

    Is this content inappropriate?

    This document discusses matrix organizational structures. It begins by defining a matrix structure as combining two or more traditional structures, with team members reporting to both functional and project managers. The document then covers the origins of matrix structures in responding to complex aerospace projects. It outlines pros like sharing resources and developing skills, and cons such as potential role confusion. Overall, the document argues that matrix structures address the needs of large, complex projects better than traditional hierarchical approaches.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    42 views3 pages

    Matrix Organizational Structures: IPE Home Assignment A Blog On

    Uploaded by

    Ameya Dalvi
    This document discusses matrix organizational structures. It begins by defining a matrix structure as combining two or more traditional structures, with team members reporting to both functional and project managers. The document then covers the origins of matrix structures in responding to complex aerospace projects. It outlines pros like sharing resources and developing skills, and cons such as potential role confusion. Overall, the document argues that matrix structures address the needs of large, complex projects better than traditional hierarchical approaches.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as docx, pdf, or txt
    of 3

    Name: Ameya Dalvi Roll No: 18 GR No: 1710610

    Name: Ameya Dalvi


    Gr No: 1710610
    Roll No:18
    Div.: Q

    IPE Home Assignment


    A Blog on
    Matrix Organizational Structures
    Introduction
    It’s recommended to have an organizational structure in place to accurately define the activities in a
    project. Projects have many activities, from task allocation to budgeting and everything in-between.
    Therefore, that organizational structure shouldn’t be rigid, but efficient, flexible and possibly
    innovative.

    Every organization is structured in some way, and that structure is determined by the organization’s
    objectives. The way you structure an organization is going to offer a standard for operating
    procedures and routines. It will also determine who participates in what, and what project tools are
    best for the job at hand.

    Matrix organizational structure is often used in project management because it speaks to both the
    product of the project and the function of the management producing it.

    What Is Matrix Organizational Structure?


    The matrix organizational structure is a combination
    of two or more types of organizational structures. The
    matrix organization is the structure uniting these
    other organizational structures to give them balance.
    Usually, there are two chains of command, where
    project team members have two bosses or managers.

    Often, one manager handles functional activities and


    the other is a more traditional project manager. These
    roles are fluid and not fixed, as the balance of power
    between these two kinds of managers isn’t
    organizationally defined.

    It will employ the best of both structures and management styles to strengthen strengths, and make
    up for weaknesses. This way, if an organization is working on producing two products or services at
    the same time, they can organize both and use that duality to their advantage through the matrix
    organizational structure.
    Name: Ameya Dalvi Roll No: 18 GR No: 1710610

    Origins of the Matrix Organizational Structure


    The matrix organizational structure came about as a business response to the rise of large-scale
    projects. They needed fast-track technology applications and required the ability to process great
    amounts of data in an efficient manner. Project organization was needed to respond quickly to
    interdisciplinary needs, without upsetting the functional organizational structures already in place.

    Matrix organizational structures were first developed in the aerospace industry in the U.S. as
    projects grew in complexity during the mid-century. Until that point, they had been using a single
    hierarchical organization, which was fine when there was only one very large project.

    However, with more and more projects having a variety of sizes and complexities, there was a need
    for expanding beyond one discipline. So, as time went on, the use of one discipline to structure a
    project become increasingly rare. But there remained a need for a single source of information and
    responsibility for each project. Therefore, instead of creating many autonomous projects, a matrix of
    projects was developed.

    Pros and Cons of a Matrix Organizational Structure


    A matrix organizational structure is not a one-size-fits-all solution. There are advantages and
    disadvantages that need to be understood to know if it’s the right one for the organization.

    Pros
    1. One of the biggest pros of using a matrix organizational structure is that it allows the sharing of
    highly skilled resources between functional units and projects. Communications are open, which
    helps knowledge move throughout the organization with less obstruction. Because the matrix
    organizational structure fosters better communications, it makes the normal boundaries
    between groups more porous, which allows for more collaboration and an integrated, more
    dynamic organization.
    2. This structure can serve as a great boon for employees who are looking to widen their
    experience and skill sets. They can be part of many different aspects of various projects. It puts
    them in an environment that facilitates learning and gives them an opportunity to grow
    professionally.
    Name: Ameya Dalvi Roll No: 18 GR No: 1710610

    3. Plus, the functional departments have highly skilled people, and those people are available to
    help the project team if needed. This creates a pool of valuable resources that can be dipped
    into and provides more flexibility to resolve issues without having to source new resources.
    4. Furthermore, efficiencies are enhanced, and teams remain loyal because the structure provides
    a more stable environment where job security is strengthened. People work harder and have
    more buy-in to projects when they feel the rug isn’t going to get pulled out from under them.

    Cons
    1. There can be some confusion when a team member is subject to two managers. That can also
    create unnecessary conflict. This is especially true if both managers have equal authority.
    2. Then there is the functional manager and project manager. There can be some sparks flying
    between these two managers in terms of what they believe to be the authority in the
    organization. That confusion can show up with team members, too, if their roles and
    responsibilities aren’t clearly defined. And that confusion can lead to conflict if resources are
    hard to come by and competing managers are fighting for them.
    3. There are a lot of managers in a matrix organizational structure, which is not to everyone’s
    liking. And there can be a financial downside to that too. Having more people in managerial
    positions is going to have an impact on the organization’s bottom line.
    4. Team members can feel the strain of working in a matrix organizational structure, in that their
    workload can be heavy. Often, they’re tasked with their regular assignments and then additional
    work, which can lead to burnout or some tasks being ignored.
    5. Finally, there’s the overall expense of the matrix organizational structure. This goes beyond
    having multiple managers but also the added expense of keeping on resources that might not be
    used all the time.

    Not that some of these disadvantages can’t be overcome. They just require being cognizant of the
    stress points and working more cooperatively towards relieving them.

    Conclusion
    The matrix organizational structure is an answer to the problem of managing large and complex
    projects. When working on a large project, a highly hierarchical structure can be an obstacle in the
    path of moving that process forward successfully.

    Instead of trying to find a workaround to a situation that might not have a viable solution, a matrix
    organization structure provides a new system that can more properly address the complexities of
    large projects.

    The problem of having the function and skills fragmented in an organization makes it more difficult
    to handle large projects successfully. It’s harder with this type of top-down organizational structure
    to have a holistic view. The perspective at the top is distorted, while a matrix organizational
    structure can see a problem from a closer standpoint and have varied approaches of solving it.

    The matrix organizational structure is more catholic in that it acts as if there is not a single best way
    to organize a project. It sees alternatives rather than one established way forward.

    References
    1. http://www.economicsdiscussion.net/management/matrix-organisational-structure/31591
    2. https://pmstudycircle.com/2012/08/what-is-a-matrix-organization-structure/
    3. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matrix_management

    You might also like