What is a "highly matrixed organization" ?

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

Anyone know what a "highly matrixed organization" is?

Context: a job listing that says the applicant "must work in a highly matrixed organization".

[LaL 418]

prbably means the hired person will have 8 different bosses or smt like that

[one...two...tree 2,762]

Lots of interdependencies?

[roscove 0]

The concept is that you have two bosses. One is your functional manager i.e. the person who mentors you, does your review and effectively owns you. That person is your real and true boss. The other is normally some sort of lead or project manager. This person "rents you out" from the functional manager for a particular project. So the FM is the one you always deal with and go to for multiple issues. The other is the part time boss that assigns you day to day stuff for their particular project. You would then charge time to that particular project.

In an ideal world this works well. Problem is functional managers tend to assign you to multiple program managers so you do end up the multiple boss issue where their project is always top priority. A good functional manager is always aware what projects their team are allocated to and ensure their staff never gets pulled in too many directions.

[w¡n9Nµ7 §£@¥€r 123]

The concept is that you have two bosses. One is your functional manager i.e. the person who mentors you, does your review and effectively owns you. That person is your real and true boss. The other is normally some sort of lead or project manager. This person "rents you out" from the functional manager for a particular project. So the FM is the one you always deal with and go to for multiple issues. The other is the part time boss that assigns you day to day stuff for their particular project. You would then charge time to that particular project.

In an ideal world this works well. Problem is functional managers tend to assign you to multiple program managers so you do end up the multiple boss issue where their project is always top priority. A good functional manager is always aware what projects their team are allocated to and ensure their staff never gets pulled in too many directions.

Ok. That sounds like every place I've ever worked. Is there anyone working for a Fortune 500 who doesn't work for a matrixed organization?

[cmartyn 0]

Not Me :-) I have at least 4 bosses at any given time.

[diadromous mermaid 36]

A matrixed organisation has a structure unlike the typical pyramid hierarchy. There are two or more axes, each with their own herarchical command, yet at the same time have lateral communication and influence with the other axis. In simple terms, the company could for all practical purposes appear to be distinct operations, with their own management structure, yet they are fused together and expected to accommodate and support each other.

[meauxna 15]

The concept is that you have two bosses. One is your functional manager i.e. the person who mentors you, does your review and effectively owns you. That person is your real and true boss. The other is normally some sort of lead or project manager. This person "rents you out" from the functional manager for a particular project. So the FM is the one you always deal with and go to for multiple issues. The other is the part time boss that assigns you day to day stuff for their particular project. You would then charge time to that particular project.

In an ideal world this works well. Problem is functional managers tend to assign you to multiple program managers so you do end up the multiple boss issue where their project is always top priority. A good functional manager is always aware what projects their team are allocated to and ensure their staff never gets pulled in too many directions.

Thank you for that!

I have a GF at FedEx who's always on about being matrixed to Sales and I'm all.. whaaaat? <g>

[tom&tata 2]

Ok. That sounds like every place I've ever worked. Is there anyone working for a Fortune 500 who doesn't work for a matrixed organization?

It's true. It just means that more than 1 person can boss you around

Edited October 3, 2006 by tom&tata

[jordanianprincess 0]

In other words...Micro Mangement

[Mirorgate 0]

In other words...Micro Mangement

oh no.... micro mgmt is something TOALY different