The Matrix Structure

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The Matrix Structure

Sometimes an organisation needs to run according to what projects they

have to do. In these situations people usually work together in a team

to achieve their projects goals. A person working on a project would

have two bosses, the boss of the department that they work in and the

leader or manager of the particular project that they are working on

at the moment. A project may cover some or all of the organisations

departmental areas.

For example in the aerospace industry (manufacture and development of

aeroplanes and spacecraft) the government might ask for a space

shuttle type aircraft to be developed and manufactured. Another

government department might ask for a spacecraft to go to Mars.

Obviously these craft would be very different. How could an

organisation set itself up to complete both projects? Well it might

set up two project groups. The Mars group and the shuttle group, both

of which would utilise resources, staff etc from all of the different

departments in the organisation. When the projects are completed,

these project groups would be disbanded

Matrix Organisational Structure

Geographical Structure

As a firm grows it sometimes needs to set up branches in other

locations.

The Geographical Organisational Structure

A firm may wish to allow these branches to work as autonomous units,

that means that they are like little organisations of there own making

local decisions but guided by the policy decisions made at the head

office.

For example some large 'fast food' chains often work in this way with

a head office and suburban branches which are run by a "manager". The

head office provides services and support but is not closely involved

in the day to day running of the branch. While the branch manager does

have scope to make decisions this is limited as compared to a

completely separate business.

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Functional Structure

In this type of organisational structure the division of work is the

most important part.

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