Always confused with Org Structure Qs

Submitted by reddyvsrao on Fri, 06/14/2013 - 14:30

Following are two Qs that I came across in Mock exam @PreparePM

1.Chris has joined ABC organization as a Project Manager. The project team members do not report to Chris. They report to Engineering and Accounting departments. Which type of organization structure best represents ABC style of functioning?
a.Balanced matrix.
b.Strong Matrix.
c.Functional.
d.Projectized.

2.In which type of Matrix organization, does the PM have very little authority.
a.Weak Matrix.
b.Strong Matrix.
c.Balanced Matrix.
d.Functional Matrix.

My answers were

1. a (b & d were ruled out. Among a & c, a Functional org doesn't have a PM. So my answer is a)
2. c (a & d were ruled as they only have coordinator but not a PM. Among b & c, PM in a Balanced matrix have little authority)

But the answers given were 1. c and 2. a

I always feel that mock exams are ignoring the fact from PMBOK that Functional and Weak Matrix doesn't have a PM at all other than a coordinator. Am I missing anything here?

Thanks,
Subba.

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Jgrind07

Fri, 06/14/2013 - 16:00

 Hi Subbarao,

I would suggest you to memorize the table in page 28 of PMBOK.  It clearly explaines the different levels of authority of a PM in different organization.  

Question 1: it should be functional as the resources are reporting to their departments. 

Question 2: According to page no 28, it is weak matrix as it has lowest authority among matrix organization. 

Thanks

Jai

th9063

Fri, 06/14/2013 - 16:33

I would have selected Functional Organization & Weak Matrix according  according to  PMBOK Page 28 there is only three types of Matrix: Weak, Balance, Strong. Three typed of organization Functional, Matrix & Pojectized. I agree with above understand Page 28.

th

 

reddyvsrao

Fri, 06/14/2013 - 17:05

 


If we look at next pages of PMBOK where in different Org structures were shown, there was no role as Project Manger in Functional and Weak Matrix organizations.


So in questions 1, if Chris is a PM then I am assuming that he can't be part of a Functional or Weak Matrix Org. So the next nearest one I am thinking is a Balanced Matrix where there will be a PM role which reports to a Functional manger as in page 30.


Similar logic is applied to 2 as well.


Is there anything wrong with the way I am looking at PMBOK?


Thanks,


Subba.


 


 


 

cnppmp's picture

cnppmp

Fri, 06/14/2013 - 17:38

C & A Respectively..

project manager with resources not reporting to him then it should be functional

 

Project maanger little authority it should be weak matrix.

 

Regards

CN Patil

 

sanskrit

Sat, 06/15/2013 - 14:27

I can understand your confusion,. My Rule of thumb is

When Question is talking about PM's autority, It goes From

Functional [ PM Has No authority] and Weak Matrix[ PM Has LITTLE authority]

When Question is talking about reporting structure, It goes From

Functional [ Report to Functional Department] and Weak Matrix[  Report to Functional Department]

So based on these Rule, If you apply to question 1, In the list of options there is no option of Weak Matrix so option C Functional is correct answer

Same rule  If you apply to question 3, In the list of options Option C Weak Matrix is correct answer

 

S

MANOJ RAMRAOJI ...

Sat, 06/15/2013 - 16:13

Options C and A are correct for Qn. 1 and 2 respectively.

Every type of orgnization is having a PM. and based on the Authority level and team reporting structure orgnizations can be best identified.

In Q-1 team is reporting to functional heads rather than PM hence orgnization  can't be Balanced matrix, Strong Matrix or Projectized.

and Q-1 is very clear.