Matrix Management

By Author: Anthony W Bills
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Matrix Management
Introduction:
Matrix management refers to the type of organizational management whereby people with mutual skills are pooled together for work assignments. For instance, all engineers can be in one engineering department and also report to the same engineering manager but in the real sense, the same engineers can be assigned to different projects while reporting to the same project manager while they work in the same project. Therefore it means that each and every engineer may work under different several managers to ensure that their job is well done. Matrix organization is viewed as an attempt to of combining advantages which encompasses the pure functional structures as well as the products of organizational structures. This type of form is identically suited best for a company like the one for construction which is ‘project driven’. In matrix organizations, all project managers directly reports to the vice presidents and also the general managers. Because all projects represent potential profit centres, authority and power used by project managers comes directly from general managers. Information ...
... sharing is also mandatory in such organizations whereby several individuals may be needed to perform the same piece of work. Although, generally, the person who has got total responsibilities is the project manager and he is also responsible with the accountability for the project’s success. On the other hand, functional departments have got functional responsibilities as far as the maintenance of technical excellence of the project is concerned. According to visitask.com, the foundation for the matrix organization is a trial to of synergism creation through shared responsibilities in between functional management and the project. The other advantages which are associated with pure matrix organizational forms and to project management are:
• In Hotels for instance, conflicts are highly minimized and the ones that require hierarchical referrals are easily resolved.
• The project cost is minimized because key workforce can be shared
• There is a better balance and adjustment between cost, time and also performance
• Responsibilities and authorities are easily and effectively shared
• The available stress is distributed among the team members.
(visitask.com, 2010)
However, Russell reiterates that there are disadvantages as well which are associated with matrix organizations and they are referred to as weak matrix. Some of these disadvantages are as follows.
• When assigned to oversee the groups which are organized in such a manner, it may be a complex tax. The facilitation of the entire aspects of the project lye in the project manager’s shoulders. This means that they can assess and plan the projects progress but they cannot have a sway especially when it comes to employees. Therefore it means that they will have to rely on the available tool to actual managers to be able to really control the employees.
• Hotel employees under these organizations aren’t attached to the temporary projects or temporary management due to the fact that it is another manager who is entirely responsible for the promotions. The so called functional managers and the type of work that they assign turns out to be the main goal of employees therefore any other managers and projects take a back seat. It therefore means that any project manager has must combat a very strong apathy from his co workers in order for him to succeed (Russell, D. 2010)
An organizational structure on the other hand consists of various activities like task allocation supervision and coordination directed towards the achievement of the organizational aim. Organizational structures can also be considered as a viewing glass or in other words a perspective in which people see their organizations and their environment. Most of the organizations have structures which are hierarchical but not all. Organizations may be structured in most different ways but depending largely on their various objectives. Structures of organizations determine the models in which they operate and perform. Organizational structures permit the expressed allocations in responsibilities in different processes and functions to different entities examples being departments, braches individuals and workgroups. Organizational structure affects the actual organizational actions in two major ways. Firstly, it gives the basis on which the standard operating procedures as well as routines rest. Secondly, it determines the individuals who qualify for participation in decision making processes and therefore to which extent their actions will shape the organization. Organizational structures started from the ancient times during the hunters and gatherers among tribal organizations via highly clerical and royal power structures towards the industrial structures and current post industrial structures. As pointed out by earlier organizational structure theorists like Fayol, Weber and Taylor, the importance of structure for efficiency and effectiveness and assumed without slightest doubt that whatever structure which was needed individuals could fashion it accordingly. Organizational structure was considered to be the matter of choice. The following are various types of organizational structures:
• Pre-bureaucratic structures
• Bureaucratic structures
• Post-bureaucratic structures
• Functional structures
• Divisional structures And also
Schwerzler acknowledges that an organizational structure has got its advantages and disadvantages as well. Some of its advantages and disadvantages are:
Advantages
• It allows the tailoring of strategies to the needs of each geographical market
• It improves the functional coordination within the target markets.
• It delegates profits and losses responsibilities to the lowest strategic levels
• It takes advantage and makes use of economies of the local operations and finally
• An excellent training ground for higher level managers is made by area units
Disadvantages
• For instance in sole proprietorships, the company’s’ ownership is dominated by one person. The same person will usually run day to day operations therefore retain all the profits from the organization.
• Limited liability companies or LLC acts to give protection features as a corporation in an organization like limited liability and also the adaptability of various partnerships. This kind of mix of flexibility and protection is relatively new and there are limits attached. T cooperate as LLC, one cannot have more than one of the typical four operating characteristics in a particular corporation. They include limited liability free transfer of ownership interests, management centralization and continuity of life
• It can lead to inter-functional conflict and rivalry rather than the constructive team-play
• It can lead to excessive fragmentation of strategies in critical processes
• It can result to the centralized decision making and slow response time due to the multi- layered in business management bureaucracies
• Managers with cross functional experiences are hindered on their development due to the fact that the advancement ladder is over the ranks within the particular functional area.
• Profit responsibilities are forced to the top
These among many are the advantages and disadvantages of organizational management, just to mention a few of them (Schwerzler, D. 2010)
Conclusion:
Both matrix and organizational management are of paramount importance as far as the business successes are concerned. These two when applied carefully, guarantees the organization’s expansion.

References:
Russell D, 2010: Weak Matrix Organization Structure - Advantages and Disadvantages. Retrieved December 14, 2010 from http://www.articlesbase.com/project-management-Articles/weak-matrix-organization-structure-advantages-and-disadvantages-341491.html
Schwerzler, D. (2010): Organizational Structures Key to Successful businesses. How Well Organized is Your Business? Retrieved December 14, 2010 from http://www.family business-experts.com/organization-structures.html
visitask.com (2010): Matrix Organization and project management. Retrieved December 14, 2010 from http://www.visitask.com/matrix-organization.asp

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