Having completed chapter 4 try some of the following homework questions and post your questions below and we give you feedback?
- Explain the concept of a matrix organisation and describe four advantages of such an approach
- Explain five difficulties a project manager may experience when working in a matrix organisation and give examples of how these can be overcome?
- List and describe five roles associated with a project and explain their main responsibilities?
- Explain how the relationship between the sponsor, project manager and user operate throughout the project lifecycle; make five points in your answer?
- List and describe five key activities that a project office may undertake?
- Explain five distinct benefits of a project office?
Remember each of the five paragraphs in a answer needs to include 2-3 sentences. According the the APM guidance notes this should include a a statement of fact about the list item that indicates why it has been selected and also a statement(s) clarifying, supporting, demonstrating further comprehension or application thereof.
I recommend three sentence describing the what, why it is important and then giving an example. So for instance
1) One benefit of a project office is that it can help to ensure a consistent approach to the delivery of projects in an organisation. It does this by sponsoring a common method for the delivery of projects. This is important because a common approach or method reduced overall project risk and ensure consistency can continuity between projects. For example a project office may define the stages in a project and the mandatory gates that apply to all projects, in this way reducing the risk to the organisation.
Five more like this and your done for this question.
Hi Paul, please see response below, would appreciate some feedback;
1. Explain the concept of a matrix organisation and describe four advantages of such an approach?
The concept of a matrix organisation refers to the structure whereby employees report directly to their line manager in the first instance i.e. head of finance, marketing but in addition to this, staff members may also work for the project managers as and when the organisation’s current projects require it.
An advantage of this type of organisational structure is the skill retention made possible. Usually, say in a project organisation, once the project is completed the project team is no longer needed and so dissolves, thus losing vital skills and knowledge. In a matrix organisation, people and skills are retained even when they may not be working in a project environment.
Another benefit of a matrix organisation is the greater utilisation of resources. Whilst a functional organisation may see periods where staff are under utilised, a matrix organisation can clearly see staff availability and can use staff on projects should they become available. This greater flexibility allows more efficient use of resources across the business.
A matrix organisation also provides the ability to motivate staff in more challenging ways. In a functional organisation there is little room for career progression as the roles are very specialised and often fixed where as in a matrix organisation staff who are periodically used on project work will feel a greater sense of worth and contribution to the business activities as a whole.
Project managers have an authority in a matrix organisation. The organisation recognises that the project manager needs to direct others and utilise specialist skills from within different parts of the organisation when required. The organisation can support the project manager in this task and are familiar with the requirements.
Patrick all good except I might reword this one as
A matrix organisation also provides the ability to motivate staff in more challenging ways. In a functional organisation there is a very structured career progression in the specialist functions however this can be slow quite restrictive. In a matrix organisation staff who are periodically used on project work will feel a greater sense of worth and contribution to the business activities as a whole, because of a wide range of opportunities.
Some people prefer the structured nature of a functional organisation for career progression, it is less clear what the career path is in a matrix.
Thanks for the feedback Paul, very constructive. Could you also please comment on answer posted in Chapter 3 homework questions forum, cheers.