Question

Briefly explain the FOUR project management organization structures, giving advantages and disadvantages.

Answer 1

answer-

1-Functional Organizational Structure

A functional organizational structure divides a project or organization into smaller groups that have dedicated, specific tasks. In a functional organization structure, the project manager and all the resources work in the same company division, such as the sales and marketing department. Generally, the functional manager has more authority than the project manager.

The advantages of This organization structure is that It is flexible in nature. It works well for small teams and small projects because the function has full control over the team members and other resources required. You can easily access the experts you need because they are in the same functional area. It’s quick to get everyone together to resolve problems related to the project .

The disadvantages of this structure is that Work takes place in a silo, which might mean you don’t have access to people outside your functional division. People on the project team might be more loyal to their department or team manager than to their work on the project, which can create conflicts.

2- Projectized Organizational Structure

The projectized organizational structure is the complete opposite of the functional organizational structure even though the organization may still group staff according to their work functions. The project manager probably has line management responsibility for the project team members. Examples of this would include large construction builds, but also corporate initiatives that require a dedicated team. The project manager has ultimate authority, reporting to the project sponsor and the project board.

The advantages of this structure is that Teams can have a strong sense of identity. It is the easiest structure within which to create a strong team culture. Projects run in this structure are great environments for improving your project management skills as well as more technical leadership skills. The whole team is focused on the team’s goals, so conflict of loyalty exists with the day job for the people working on the project. Their day job is the project.

The disadvantages of this structure is that Having a team dedicated to one project is an expensive commitment. It tends to be an option only on big projects. Sometimes closing a project can mean losing your job if the business has moved on and another role isn't available for you.

3- Matrix Organizational Structure

The matrix organizational structure can be found lying somewhere between the functional organizational structure and the projectized organizational structure depending on what type of matrix structure is being run. Resources are shared across both business-as-usual work and project work. It might mean having two managers or "dotted-line" responsibility to a project manager as well as to the team manager. The functional management line structure is normally in place first, and the project manager takes the dotted line.

the advantages of this structure are that Resources are used efficiently and can move around between projects as needed. You can work on lots of different things, sometimes in parallel—although this point can be argued as a disadvantage as well. Teams and individuals can be very responsive. If a new project comes along that has to take priority, it’s easy enough to pivot and suddenly focus on something else. You can’t do that easily in a project structure, which takes longer to disband and regroup.

the disadvantages of this structure are that The conflict between projects is common because you might be fighting for the same resources as another project. There can be some conflict between business-as-usual tasks and project work for individuals, especially when both managers are giving them different priorities.

4-Flatarchy organization structure-

Flatarchies are organizations that aren't quite flat nor are they hierarchical. They are actually a combination of both types of structures. In other words, an organization can be relatively flat yet can create an ad hoc hierarchy to work on a project or function and then disband.

The best example of this structure within a company is if the organization has an internal incubator or innovation program. Within this system, the company can operate in an existing structure, but employees at any level are encouraged to suggest ideas and run with them, potentially creating new flat teams.

The advantages of this organization structure are that this opens up a lot of communication and dispels unnecessary levels of bureaucracy that slow projects down. This structure remove red tape and foster innovation in the organization.It involves fast decision making and does not require extensive supervision and dominance. It is cost efficient.

The disadvantage of this structure is that first it can cause confusion and inconveniency if everyone involved doesn’t agree on how the structure should be organized. second It poses the risk of management to easily lose control.