Podcast
Questions and Answers
What is a significant disadvantage of a matrix structure in project management?
What is a significant disadvantage of a matrix structure in project management?
- It can result in difficult accountability and authority tracking. (correct)
- It provides specialized assistance for every project.
- It maximizes the use of specialists.
- It has a clear definition of project managers.
Which scenario is most suitable for implementing a matrix structure?
Which scenario is most suitable for implementing a matrix structure?
- Short-run, complex products that need quick completion. (correct)
- Long-term projects with minimal specialization required.
- Projects with fixed and hierarchical management.
- Simple products that are easily completed.
What is a potential result of interpersonal and command conflicts in a matrix organizational structure?
What is a potential result of interpersonal and command conflicts in a matrix organizational structure?
- Increased innovation across projects.
- Enhanced decision-making speed.
- Broader organizational objectives alignment.
- A power struggle between supervisors. (correct)
What aspect does a matrix structure primarily provide for project management?
What aspect does a matrix structure primarily provide for project management?
Which issue may arise from employees becoming narrow-sighted in a matrix structure?
Which issue may arise from employees becoming narrow-sighted in a matrix structure?
What is the main outcome of high formalisation within an organisation?
What is the main outcome of high formalisation within an organisation?
Which structure allows for problems to be addressed immediately by employees?
Which structure allows for problems to be addressed immediately by employees?
Which organisational structure is characterized by direct supervision and minimal specialisation?
Which organisational structure is characterized by direct supervision and minimal specialisation?
In which type of structure is decision making primarily centralised to maintain uniformity?
In which type of structure is decision making primarily centralised to maintain uniformity?
What role does responsibility play in organisational structures?
What role does responsibility play in organisational structures?
Which organisational type exemplifies a stable environment requiring standardisation of skills?
Which organisational type exemplifies a stable environment requiring standardisation of skills?
What is a defining characteristic of a Divisionalised Structure?
What is a defining characteristic of a Divisionalised Structure?
What is typically reduced as formalisation increases within an organization?
What is typically reduced as formalisation increases within an organization?
What is the primary form of coordination in a machine bureaucracy?
What is the primary form of coordination in a machine bureaucracy?
Which organizational structure is characterized by a combination of functional and product/service structures?
Which organizational structure is characterized by a combination of functional and product/service structures?
What trend involves pushing decision-making responsibilities downwards in an organization?
What trend involves pushing decision-making responsibilities downwards in an organization?
What best describes adhocracies in terms of their organizational approach?
What best describes adhocracies in terms of their organizational approach?
How do changes in job design reflect modern workforce requirements?
How do changes in job design reflect modern workforce requirements?
Flashcards
Matrix Project Management Advantages
Matrix Project Management Advantages
Matrix Project management leverages specialists, improves project management of complex projects requiring many skills, and emphasizes flexibility.
Matrix Project Management Disadvantages
Matrix Project Management Disadvantages
Potential conflicts arise due to multiple supervisors, impacting decision-making, potentially causing employees to lose sight of larger organizational goals.
Matrix Structure Applications
Matrix Structure Applications
Suitable for complex, short-term projects requiring many specialized skills in a fast-changing market.
Matrix Structure Alignment
Matrix Structure Alignment
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Matrix Structure Management
Matrix Structure Management
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Bureaucratic Strategy
Bureaucratic Strategy
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Adhocracy
Adhocracy
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Flatter Hierarchies
Flatter Hierarchies
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Changes in Job Design
Changes in Job Design
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Matrix Structure
Matrix Structure
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Formalisation
Formalisation
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Centralized Decision Making
Centralized Decision Making
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Decentralized Decision Making
Decentralized Decision Making
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Simple Structure
Simple Structure
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Machine Bureaucracy
Machine Bureaucracy
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Professional Bureaucracy
Professional Bureaucracy
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Divisional Structure
Divisional Structure
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Responsibility
Responsibility
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Study Notes
Structural Operations
- Formalization: The extent of rules and procedures in employee jobs. High formalization leads to high quality and safety but reduces autonomy.
- Decision Making: Can be centralized (top-down) or decentralized (distributed). Centralization ensures uniformity, while decentralization allows for quicker problem-solving and employee development.
- Responsibility: An obligation to complete a task. Delegation is assigning responsibility.
- Authority: The right to direct performance. Power types were discussed in a previous week.
Universal Approaches to Organizational Design
- Administrative Management (Fayol): Not detailed in this lecture. Refer to Week 2 Lecture 1 for further information.
- Bureaucracy (Weber): Not detailed in this lecture. Refer to Week 2 Lecture 1 for further information.
Mintzberg Framework
- Simple Structure: Found in small businesses. Coordination through direct supervision. CEO holds most power. Reactive to change. (e.g., local garages)
- Machine Bureaucracy: Large, stable environments. Standardization of work processes. Centralized decision making. (e.g., mass production organizations)
- Professional Bureaucracy: Complex, stable environments. Standardization of skills. Decentralized decision making. (e.g., universities)
Further Considerations
- Matrix Structure: Combines functional and product/service structures. Employees have two supervisors. Suitable for diverse activities or project-based work but with potential for conflicts.
- Divisionalised Structure: Large organizations with divisions. Each division can be a machine bureaucracy.
- Adhocracy: Complex, dynamic environments. Coordination through mutual adjustment. Decentralized decision making, a lot of specialists. (e.g., innovative companies)
- Modern Business Design Trends: Flatter hierarchies, changes in job design (flexible, multi-skilled), increased employee responsibility, team mechanisms.
- Matrix Structure Advantages/Disadvantages: Innovation, specialization, flexible managers / two supervisors, interpersonal/command conflicts, slow decision-making.
- Matrix Structure's Appropriateness: Suitable for short-term, complex products/projects. Requires strong alignment between functional groups.
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