Until the 1970s, large corporations set up their organizations into silos. A silo was a division of the workers where they would report to either a line or functional manager. A matrix organization today is the attempt for the creation of a proper restructuring of the company so that it can be developed into a goal-oriented project management team.



Different styles of matrix management can exist within an organization. The overall objective is to satisfy divisional or departmental functional requirements by pooling workers with similar skills. The major organizational matrix types consist of either weak, strong, or balanced matrix structures. This article presents pros and cons of the weak matrix organization.

A Balanced Matrix Organizational Structure

There is a wise old saying; absolute power results in absolute corruption. Power struggles occur in all forms of matrix structures. Usually, the result of this type of power struggle will be detrimental to both groups who are struggling, the project and to the business organization as well. Sometimes these harmful effects may not be immediately visible. For example, if one project manager controls another manager and thus, forcing him or her to hand over important team members to aid in the completion of the project, the entire group suffers. It is imperative to find a manner with which to avoid this conflict.

One manner of solving this issue is to devise organizational boundaries that determines when each manager can control a worker. These guidelines should be based upon a particular set of circumstances. Consider an example in which a rule is made stating that a worker will be managed solely by the functional manager if an expected project will last for less than a week's time. If, however, the project is expected to last longer than a week, the project manager will be in control. Alternatively, a rule could be devised stating that a worker may not be employed by a project manager to work on two projects in a row.

To balance power between project and functional managers, it may be imposed a variety of rules and structures, in order to avoid the win/lose condition. Obviously, the name of the balanced matrix originates from the balanced power resulting from such organizational structure.