Question

1. The organisation of companies involved in the planning and delivery of projects can vary. The Heavyweight matrix project organisation is a relevant organisational form for these types of companies [6 marks] (a) Provide a graphical representation of this organisational form (b) Describe this organisational form [7 marks] (c) Explain the strengths of this organisational form [7 marks] (d) Explain the weaknesses of this organisational form [7 marks] (e) Describe in detail a real life example of this form of organisation [6 marks]

Answer 1

ca) Graphical Repdesestation of Osganisational fotoy Evecutive Fun to nal manged Paoydlromgend > Psoject team a

The organisational form of heavyweight matrix project organisation is a matrix organisational form. i.e, the heavyweight matrix project has a matrix organisational structure.

(b)The organisational form is matrix organisational form. Matrix organisational structure is a company structure in which the reporting relationships are set up as a grid or matrix rather than in the traditional hierarchy. Simply it means the memployees have dual reporting relationships - generally to both a functional manager and a product manager.It is also called project organisation. The main objective of matrix organisational form is high degree of operational freedom, adaptability and flexibility for the line and staff managers who are performing their roles in the organisation.

(c) Strengths of matrix organisational form

1. Efficient utility of resources as the experts and equipment can be shared across projects.

2. The projects and products are formally coordinated across functional departments of the organisation.
3. Access to expertise services.
4. Allows the concentration on specific products, customers and projects
5. The flow of information in both across and up of the organisation.
6. Provides good training for forming strategic managers.
7. Enhances inter functional communication.
8. Efficient ways for the use of human resources.

(d) weakness of organisational form (Matrix organisational structure)

1. In adopting matrix organisational form there is chance of confusion in commanding
2. It consumes a large amount of time in coordinating.
3. Matrix organisational form sometimes results in contradictory policies.
4. It involves higher administrative costs
5. Chance of arising behavioural difficulties from two bosses.
6. Results in ambiguity.
7. It is complex and some times lead to difficulties in implementation.

(e) A real life example of matrix organisational form is in 1970s Philips is a Dutch Multinational electronic company. Philips set up a matrix management with its managers reporting to both product division manager and a divisional manager of the organisation. Large MNCs like Hughes Aircraft, Texas instruments also setup reporting along with project and functional lines around that time.