Individual functional departments have great difficulty in solving very large problems because of a failure to view the total system and a tendency to sub-optimize or solve the problem within their particular discipline. The primary reason for adopting the matrix in a large organization can be pinpointed in the fact that functions and skills are fragmented throughout the organizational structure. There is no evidence to indicate that multiple authority and role conflict lead to ineffectiveness (16). Most management theorists predicted that the lack of any clear-cut single line of responsibility and authority would result in managerial ineffectiveness. The conventional hierarchical management organization could not cope with the added complexity and the enormous amount of information that had to be processed, and conventional management theory was of little help in solving these new and unique problems. The need was for an organizational form capable of managing the recent very large and very complex programs, projects, and problems, and for managing limited resources. The matrix developed as a natural evolution of organizational structures in answer to a very definite real-world need. The basic unit of the matrix organization Why the Matrix? Although all organizations are temporary in that they are constantly changing, the matrix is designed to be temporary and a particular organizational structure lasts only for the finite life of the project.ДЇigure 1. Implicit in the definition of the matrix organization is the recognition that the project is temporary whereas the functional departments are more permanent. Neither can the relationships shown in figure 1 be simply described by such terms as вЂњhe reports to the functional manager only for technical direction,вЂќ or вЂњhe reports to the project office for budgetary and schedule control.вЂќ Such descriptions are inadequate to describe how the matrix organization really works because in reality, not just on paper, the project personnel do have two bosses. The project manager in the matrix organization is not a staff man nor does he normally have less authority than the functional managers reporting on the same level. Dotted lines are usually used to indicate staff relationships or reporting relationships of lesser importance. However, solid lines normally connect managers with their direct subordinates, the man above being the boss. Solid- and dotted-line relationships have various interpretations depending upon local management custom.

This represents an abandonment of the age-old management concept, вЂњThou shalt have but one boss above thee.вЂќ None of the reporting relationships shown in figure 1 are dotted-line relationships. In a balanced matrix organization various people in the organization have two bosses (figure 1). It must be recognized that such a balanced situation, considered by some authorities to be ideal, probably seldom occurs in practice. To illustrate the organizational principles, a matrix will be considered first in which there is a balance of power between the project and functional managers.

The matrix organizational form may vary from one in which the project manager holds a very strong managerial position to one in which he plays only a coordinating role. Other chains of command such as geographic location are also possible. In a matrix there are usually two chains of command, one along functional lines and the other along project, product, or client lines. However, the term matrix means quite different things to different people and in different industries (1)(5). What Is A Matrix Organization?ДЄ matrix organization is defined as one in which there is dual or multiple managerial accountability and responsibility. The following paper is a representative chapter from the book.

The title of the book will be вЂњThe Implementation of Project Management,вЂќ and it has been designed as an aid to the newly appointed project manager, who says, вЂњNow what do 1 do?вЂќ The project plan is to have the book ready for sale at the 1979 International Seminar/Symposium at Atlanta. note: The Southern California Chapter of the Project Management Institute has been working on a book project for approximately one year.

Matrix definition