Week 5

1. Why is it important for the engineer manager to acquire the skills in organizing?

It is important for the engineer manager to acquire the skills in organizing in order to manage
time, resources and workforce to their maximum extent in achieving their plan. Organizing plays
a significant role to achieve the goals or objectives of the organization. Engineer manager can
manage people effectively through setting of priorities and proper distribution of activities and
responsibilities to co-workers and staff according to their individual skills and abilities as well as
establish relationships with others. Having confidence and control in the organization can create
a productive environment for workers as well. The engineer manager can work effectively and
efficiently since there is a proper organization in the work space and setting tasks to be done is
easily manage. He/she can focus on important matters such as completion of project, coordinate
to other sectors in order to review the work they do and other priorities that involves the
organization’s plans and goals. Better organizing skills will help the engineer manager to
properly execute their plan, conduct performance evaluation and establish a workforce that will
meet their goals in the long run, all of which contributes to a more efficient work system.

2. What purpose do organizational structure serve?

Organizational structure serves as a clarification of relationships, lines of authority and ways

of communication in a way that best suits the particular organization. It identifies each job, its
function and when it reports to within the organization. It creates coordination and proper
allocation of resources so that management and employees can work effectively. Organizational
structure assigns authority and provides guidance to management and all employees by laying
out of the official reporting relationships that govern the workflow of the company.

3. What are the types of organizational structures? How may they be distinguished?

Line organization – authority flows in a chain of command from the top-most position to
lowest. It tends to simplify and clarify responsibility, authority and accountability
relationships.

Line and staff organization – combination of line and functional organization structure.
The line organization structure focuses excessively on authority and the functional
organization divides the firm into various functional departments.

Functional organization – type of organizational structure which organized staff based on

their specific skills and knowledge. The entire organization is divided into smaller groups
or departments based on specialized functions.

Committee structure – a group of members who discuss and develop strategic solutions to
problems. Its objective of setting up the committee is to develop broader organizational
goals, finalize plans and policies for the organization.
 Project structure – it facilitates the coordination and implementation of project or product
activities. Project manager leads the group in which he/she has the ultimate authority to
make any and all decisions involving the organization.

Matrix structure – reporting relationships resemble a grid (matrix) rather than typical
hierarchy. This structure can be thought of as a combination of the functional and
projectized approaches of organizing employees in the company.

4. What are committees? How may they be classified?

Committees are generally a formal working group within a larger organization, appointed for a
specific function.

 Standing Committee – it is a relatively permanent committee that deals with the issues on
an ongoing basis. An example is the grievance committee set up to handle initially
complaints from the employees of the organization.

 Ad hoc Committee – one created for a short-term purpose and have a limited life. An
example is the created to manage anniversary festivities of a certain firm.

 Executive Committee – group of directors appointed to act on behalf of, and within the
power granted to them by board of directors. Typically, it consists of a chairperson, vice
chairperson, secretary and treasurers.

 Advisory Committee – is a group of people, commonly volunteers who are either internal
and/or external to a business or organization.

 Formal Committee – is responsible for organizing study related events, such as guest
lectures and field trips.

 Informal Committee – means the ad hoc committee of certain unaffiliated holders of the
notes.