Matrix organisation structure, Project Management

Assignment Help:

Matrix organisation

A matrix organisation is a combination of functional and project organisation. A weak matrix organisation has most of the characteristics of a functional organisation. The project manager's role is limited to coordinating with few authorities. A weak matrix organisation structure is illustrated in figure.

768_weak matrix structure.png

Figure 3.4: Weak matrix organisation structure

A strong matrix organisation characteristic is similar to that of a project organisation. It has a full-time project manager who has a project administrative team. In a matrix organisation the project management team has to report to a project manager as well as functional manager who provide technical and functional skills. A strong matrix organisation is illustrated in figure 3.5.

1107_matrix structure.png

Figure : Strong matrix organisation structure

Characteristics

  • Since matrix organisation has characteristics of both the project and functional organisation, project team reports to both functional and project lines.
  • Project team members report to a functional manager for requirements, economic evaluation and feasibility, changing priority, allocation of work and final reports.
  • A project manager's job is refining tasks, assigning, planning and budgeting and project scheduling.
  • A project manager has more power than the functional matrix in a strong matrix organisational structure. A functional manager has more power in a weak matrix structure.

Advantages

  • A matrix structures has the combined advantages of both functional structure and project structure. Human resource and skills are less redundant, which can be applied to different projects if need be.
  • Project requirements and functional organisation polices conflicts can be can be perceived and resolved more readily.
  • The expertise of both functional and project management is readily available to address complex issues and coordinate various tasks.
  • This method results with project completion in less time and lower cost.

Disadvantages

  • Communication is difficult to manage because of dual management lines.
  • Conflicting  instructions  from  project  and  functional  managers  waste team member's time and effort in clarifying them. Slows reactions in meeting changing project requirements.
  • Might lead to conflicts and competition between project and functional management leading to confusion and demoralisation of team members.
  • If quick resolutions are not provided to conflicting priorities and personal struggle, it can damage the project.

Related Discussions:- Matrix organisation structure

Describe what is a budget process, Question: (a) John Oakland says: ...

Question: (a) John Oakland says: "Day to day issues, often taken for granted, involve quality in some form or other. For example, the safety and conformity with accepted st

Quality tools in process improvement, Question : (a) Describe the impor...

Question : (a) Describe the importance of the following quality tools in process improvement: (i) Pareto diagrams (ii) cause-and-effect diagrams (b) The Managi

Project approches, Describe your approach to tracking a project?

Describe your approach to tracking a project?

Explain the role of the project owner and project sponsor, X Company, a pri...

X Company, a private security firm, has signed a contract to fund the design, construction and running of a local police station. This arrangement is a public private partnership a

Define the critical path analysis in risk management, Define the critical p...

Define the critical path analysis in risk management. Critical path analysis (CPA) or network analysis: Gantt charts are a poor time management tools while projects are l

What are the principal stages of a project life cycle, Question 1: (a) ...

Question 1: (a) What are the principal stages of a project life cycle? (b) Describe fully the steps involved in the project planning process. Question 2: "Effective

What are the uses of cost benefit analysis, What are the uses of Cost Benef...

What are the uses of Cost Benefit Analysis? Generally, this technique (complex cost benefit analysis) is advocated for use within decisions on public projects, wherein social c

Strategy for project implementation, A strategy for project implementation ...

A strategy for project implementation Projects involving  small number  of  activities,  resources,  constraints  and inter-relationship can be visualized easily by the human m

Evaluate cost estimation, Prepare a 1-page Cost Estimate in MS Excel for th...

Prepare a 1-page Cost Estimate in MS Excel for the project similar to the example provided below. Use the WBS items provided below, and be sure to document assumptions you make in

Write Your Message!

Captcha
Free Assignment Quote

Assured A++ Grade

Get guaranteed satisfaction & time on delivery in every assignment order you paid with us! We ensure premium quality solution document along with free turntin report!

All rights reserved! Copyrights ©2019-2020 ExpertsMind IT Educational Pvt Ltd