Project Management — 1.5 Why “Strong Matrix Organizational Structure” is the best for a Project Manager to Serve In?

Strong Matrix Organizational Structure

In the last article, we have seen the different types of Organizational Structures, in which a project is managed in different ways and with different practices. Before moving forward, it is important to mention here that an Organizational Structure plays a central & crole for a successful project completion.

In other words, it can be said that a well-organized project can be successfully managed in a well-organized organization. With reference to the last article, we had seen the concept of Flat Organizational system. In the Flat Organization System, there is no organization in the structure. There is no hierarchy in the structure. Simply, there is utterly no concept of senior junior.

In that environment, how a project manager come from the top to implement the best practices of project management to deliver a successful project. Similarly, In Functional Organizational Structure, all Functional Managers dispense their duties as Project Managers. They said themselves to be known as the expert of 10 Knowledge Areas of Project Management, when they are only the technical expert of their own field area of work.

It is important to understand that Project Management is separately a complete area of knowledge that particularly deal with the effective management of a project. It is not important for a project manager to be a technical expert only, but he should be the expert of 10 knowledge areas of Project Management first.

So, in order to cash in on the true potential of Project Manager, he must be given a proper organizational structure, in which he can use the best of his knowledge to deal with different projects.

It is; therefore, Strong Matrix Organizational Structure is the ideal organizational structure for a project manager to dispense his services in letter and spirits. So, a project-based company is always advised to devise policies to implement Strong Matrix Organizational Structure in order to complete a project in an organized way in stipulated timeframes ,and to achieve high and productive results.

Now let’s see how that structure can play a crucial role in a successful project completion.

What is “Strong Matrix Organizational Structure”?

In Strong Matrix Organizational Structure, there is a separate hierarchy of Project Managers along Functional Managers. Project Managers, do their relevant work according to (10 Knowledge Areas) of Project Management. Similarly, Functional Managers are bound to dispense their duties in functional domain. So, there is no mess up between the processes, instructions, and commands. Every Project Manager go to Functional Managers and ask to provide relevant functional staff.

In case any functional staff member needs technical help, he goes to his Functional Manger for technical help. In this way, he builds up his team and start managing the project. This is the perfect Organizational Structure for a Project Manager to dispense his duties in the light of 10 Knowledge Areas in letter and spirit. So, a certified Project Management Practitioner is always advised to choose Strong Matrix Organizations for professional practice, as it is the ideal place for them to serve.

How “Strong Matrix Organizational Structure” is best for a Project Manager to Serve In?

1) Proper Chain of Command:

There is a clear and separate hierarchy of Functional and Project Managers in Strong Matrix Organizations. Functional Managers do their product-oriented work, whereas Project Mangers do their work related to the (10 Knowledge Areas) of Project Management.

2)Clarity of Instructions:

Functional Mangers instruct staff members regarding technical functionality. Project Managers, instruct them about communications, time management, and assignments.

3)Accountability:

In strong Matrix Organizational System, accountability of the project goes to Project Manager unlike we saw in Functional Organizational System where the accountability of Project goes to Functional Managers. So, here in this Organizational Structure, Functional Manager is accountable for Product Oriented work or Product technical work, whereas the Project Manager is accountable for Project Oriented Work.

4)No chance of “Blame-Game”:

Functional Manager is doing his dimensional work, whereas the Project Manager is inclined towards his working area. So, there seems no collision and any chance of “Blame-Game” to happen.

5) Efficiency:

It is a definite fact that when everyone would do his work, which is supposed to be done by him only, there efficiency of process would spike.