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Chapter 3 Class Activity

MGMT2102 Project Management

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Chapter 3 Class Activity

Project Management Structures

1) Describe functional organization (p.68 / 69)

Answer:

Functional organization is most common type of organization structure. This is normally with a

functional manager lead a group of people to work as a team for different parts of the

organization.

2) What are the pros and cons of functional organization? (p.69 / 70)

Answer:

The pros for functional organization is stable but flexible with expertise. The cons for functional

organization is due to different functional managers will consider their own part which might not

work out better with other resources and lack of ownership for projects.

3) Describe organizing projects as dedicated teams (p.71 / 72)

Answer:

Organizing projects as dedicated teams normally is a team which is out of the parent

organization, and this team is with skilled, professional and specialized in some area, which to

manage a project.

4) What are the pros and cons of organizing the projects as dedicated teams? (p.72 / 73)

Answer:

The pros for a dedicated team is simple, fast & cross-functional integration. The cons is

expensive as those are hired outside from the organization, and once the project is done, those

staff are difficult to transfer other position.

5) Describe projects within Matrix Arrangement (p.75)

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Answer:

Project within Matrix Arrangement is the teams need to report to both functional manager and

project manager, both managers can give instruction and evaluate the team progress.

6) Describe different matrix forms (weak matrix, balanced matrix, and strong matrix) P.

76/77

Answer:

A weak matrix is like functional organization, which functional manager take the lead mostly on

the project and project manager like assisting on the project. A balance matrix is project manager

will define the project details and deliver the message to functional manager, and functional

manger will execute the message which project manager set. A strong matrix will be project

manager take lead for the project even executing, and functional manager most likely assisting to

project manager if needed.

7) What are the pros and cons of matrix organization? (p.77 / 78)

Answer:

The pros for matrix organization are very efficient &flexible with strong project focus, but it’s

very stressful and slow due to two managers are involving much into the project.

Organizational Culture

1) What is organizational culture (p.81)

Answer:

Organizational culture is a value represented an organization, which people can follow the aim

and understand the organization well.

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2) What are the 10 primary characteristics which in aggregate capture the essence of

organizational culture (p.82)

Answer:

The 10 primary characteristics which in aggregate capture the essence of organizational culture

are member identity, team emphasis, management focus, unit integration, control, risk tolerance,

reward criteria, conflict tolerance, means versus ends orientation and open-systems focus.

3) What are the functions of culture in an organization (p.82/83)

Answer:

There are three functions of culture in an organization, first is to provide the member with sense

of identity which member will see the same opinions & value, so that they will be loyal to the

organization. Secondly, the culture could help to manage the members in the same way and let

them understand easily what is good and bad. Last function is emphasizing the standard behavior

and all members should follow the same.

4) What do we mean by subculture?

Answer:

Subculture is a value not for the organization, but for a department or team of spirit or believe,

which members with have but not against the organization culture.

5) What are implications of organizational culture for organizing projects?

Answer:

The organizational culture might affect the manner of members who execute the project partially

or fully in which members commit to the goals of the projects.