Organizations

Question 1

what are the 4 components of engineering management? (PLOC)

Answer 1

PLANNING
LEADING
ORGANIZING
CONTROLLING

Question 2

what is “organizing”

Answer 2

arrange the work so it can be done

Question 3

what is organizational structure?

Answer 3

defining actitivites to achieve goals, resources, relationships

Question 4

contingency theory?

Answer 4

there is no best way to organize a corporation. the optimal way is dependent on the situation

Question 5

3 Key assumtions for contigency theory

Answer 5

1. environment: the more certain-the more bureaucratic
2. technology: the more routine-the more bureaucratic
3. size: the bigger-the more bureaucratic

Question 6

six key questions for organizational structure?

Answer 6

1. Work specialization-jobs are subdivided
2. Departmentalization-how are jobs grouped
3. Chain of command-who do individuals report to
4. span of control-how many individuals can a manager handle
5. centralization-who has authority
6. formalization-rules and regulations

Question 7

benefit and disadvantage of work specialization

Answer 7

efficiency

boredom, stress

Question 8

what are the 5 types of departmentalization

Answer 8

1. functional
2. discipline
3. product
4. geographic
5. customer

Question 9

advantages of functional organizations.

Answer 9

1. hierarchy
2. facilitates specializations
3. simplifies
4. permits use of current tech

Question 10

disadvantages of functional organizations.

Answer 10

1. excessive centralization
2. no personal growth
3. restricts development
4. delays decision making

Question 11

what type of organizations are ideal for functional organizations

Answer 11

• startups

- organizations with narrow product range

Question 12

What type of organizations is the discipline type good for

Answer 12

universities, government labs, R&D

Question 13

advantages of discipline:

Answer 13

promotes innovative pursuits

doesn’t require coordination from others

Question 14

Pros of Product/geographical organizations

Answer 14

• facilitates coordination
• encourages development
• promotes growth

Question 15

Cons of Product/geographical organizations

Answer 15

• expensive
• technical obsolescence of specialists
• changes take time

Question 16

What are the 4 components of chain of command

Answer 16

1. responsibility: duty
2. accountability: upwards accountability
3. authority: who gives orders
4. unity of command: there should only be 1 superior

Question 17

what is delegation?

Answer 17

assignment of authority to another person

Question 18

what is span of control?

Answer 18

number of subordinates that can be efficiently managed

Question 19

what do large vs small span of control do?

Answer 19

small: expensive, more managers, vertical communication is difficult
large: empowers workers, speeds up decisions

Question 20

Centralization vs Decentralization?

Answer 20

centralization: decisons are concetrated at top level
decentralization: decisions are pushed to lower levels

Question 21

what is Formalization

Answer 21

High Formalization: employees have less freedom and discretion
Low Formalization: employees have more freedom thus creativity

Question 22

Mechanistic Vs Organic Organization Structures

Answer 22

Mechanistic: Automated formal with precise role prescriptions(hierarchy of command) found in stable environments
Organic: simpler, with more freedom which develops creativity
most likely found in smaller firms

Question 23

Strengths of Simple Stucture

Answer 23

Simple, fast, flexible

Question 24

Weakness of Simple Structure

Answer 24

best in small orgs.
slow down desicion making
risky to rely on 1 person

Question 25

Pros of Matrix Organizations

Answer 25

Work load balance increase motivation and satisfaction More flexibility More information can be handled

Question 26

Cons of Matrix Organizations

Answer 26

Conflicts amoung managers Dual reporting (communication problems) ambuguity of resources

Question 27

Project Manager Focus

Answer 27

focused on schedule and cost | controls the money

Question 28

Functional Manager Focus

Answer 28

manpower skills, and facilities | focuses on quality and expertise

Question 29

types of new organizational forms

Answer 29

1. non bureacratic structures 2. flat structures 3. multi skilled capabilities 4. informal

Question 30

characteristics of new style

Answer 30

dynamic info rich customer/product oriented lateral networks

Question 31

characteristics of old style

Answer 31

``` stable info is scarce large fucntional oriented hierarchical ```

Question 32

characteristics of team organizations

Answer 32

1. team leader is in full control | 2. for short term high priority tasks

Question 33

purpose of team organizations

Answer 33

1. create recommendations 2. make or do things 3. run things

Question 34

define Modular organizations

Answer 34

small core organizations that outsources major business functions

Question 35

pros of modular org.

Answer 35

- can devote talent to critical activity - quick response - increased focus on customers and markets

Question 36

cons of modular org.

Answer 36

- reduces control of managers | - relies on outsiders

Question 37

Network organizations

Answer 37

network of companies to share skills and costs/info

Question 38

pros of Network organizations

Answer 38

- sharing - access to global markets - increase market response

Question 39

cons of Network organizations

Answer 39

-companies give up strategic control to work with each other

Question 40

Boundaryless organization

Answer 40

one that tries to eliminate the chain of command, limitless spans of control replaces departments with teams