Organizational Structure

Question 1

What is an organization?

Answer 1

A social entity with a collective goal, linked to an external environment, coordinating efforts to achieve goals.

Question 2

What does an organization represent?

Answer 2

The management hierarchy: reporting relationships and chain of control (hiring, firing, promotion).

Question 3

What determines project organization structures?

Answer 3

Project leader identity, responsibilities, and decision-making authority.

Question 4

What are the main types of project organization structures?

Answer 4

Functional, project (pure), and matrix.

Question 5

Key characteristics of functional project organization?

Answer 5

Teams within functional units, no one responsible for entire project, leadership by technical experts.

Question 6

When is functional project organization effective?

Answer 6

When solving technical problems, integration not needed, stable environment, narrow know-how needed, one unit dominant.

Question 7

Key characteristics of pure project organization?

Answer 7

Small, self-sufficient, full-time team; project leader has full responsibility; functional units stable and provide support.

Question 8

Issues with pure project organization?

Answer 8

Divisiveness between project team and parent organization; difficulty for members returning to functional units.

Question 9

What is a matrix project organization?

Answer 9

Hybrid of functional and pure; project manager and functional managers share responsibility.

Question 10

Who decides what in a matrix structure?

Answer 10

Project manager: tasks and timing; functional manager: personnel and technology.

Question 11

What types of matrix organizations exist?

Answer 11

Lightweight, middleweight, heavyweight.

Question 12

Characteristics of lightweight matrix?

Answer 12

Functional managers have power; project coordinator integrates inputs but lacks authority.

Question 13

Characteristics of heavyweight matrix?

Answer 13

Integration is key; project leader provides system solution, works with core team, acts like a general manager/CEO.

Question 14

Strengths of functional organization?

Answer 14

Skill development, technology transfer, low duplication, personal loyalty, tech development.

Question 15

Weaknesses of functional organization?

Answer 15

Unclear customer interface, unclear priorities, confused communication, poor schedule/cost control.

Question 16

Strengths of pure project organization?

Answer 16

Clear accountability, strong customer interface, strong control and communication, balance of technical/cost/schedule, clear hire/fire.

Question 17

Weaknesses of pure project organization?

Answer 17

Talent duplication, weak tech sharing, limited career development.

Question 18

Strengths of matrix organization?

Answer 18

Single point accountability, clear customer interface, rapid reaction, reduced duplication, tech and career development, easy to disband.

Question 19

Weaknesses of matrix organization?

Answer 19

High manager skill needed, resource competition, recognition issues, cooperation required.

Question 20

What are characteristics of an effective team?

Answer 20

Clear goals, high communication, effective decision making, productivity, use of unique member skills/experience.

Question 21

What is the relationship between technical and human skills?

Answer 21

Junior members need more technical skills; higher-level managers need more human skills.