Life in a Matrix

One of the challenges in matrix organization structures is how to get good performance management information when an individual has several “matrix managers”, often for short periods of time, and no one individual has the total picture of their performance.
I came across a fascinating idea on using tag clouds in performance management at the “Investigating Enterprise […]

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I have been browsing various articles on matrix organization structure to see what good matrix management resources there are out there - to be honest most of them have a limited view of the matrix - in many cases they confuse cross-functional project management (temporary projects that cross organizational boundaries) with a formal matrix organization […]

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The next set of skills we train people in on our skills for matrix working training are about how to shape your own role in a matrix organizations.
In traditional organizations, people could expect relatively clear career paths with a series of roles leading (hopefully) upwards, normally in a single function over a period of years with the same employer.
Today’s […]

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Matrix organization structures are usually introduced to break down the “silos” that stop people cooperating laterally across the organization. If they are successful then (unsurprisingly) what you get is more people cooperating across the business!
But be careful what you wish for.
If you find your “one team approach” (very popular at the moment) leads to lots […]

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The second of the skills we cover in the pyramid model as part of our skills for matrix working training program is living with ambiguity.
Human beings seem to instinctively dislike ambiguity but the point of a matrix is to trade a reduction in clarity for an increase in flexibility.
As we already discovered in this post […]

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I found a good blog summary on using RASCI at PM Insights lots of resources and explanation of the traditional approach.
Don’t forget to read this in conjunction with my other post on adapting this approach to the matrix - If you can align goals you don’t need a matrix. Creating clarity where you can is important […]

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What is different about working and managing in a matrix organization structure? This is the model we base our skills for matrix working training program around.
The first skill essential to making the matrix work is networking. I am not talking about social networking to get to know people in case it may help in the future but the active […]

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<a href=”http://www.podcastalley.com/” mce_href=”http://www.podcastalley.com/”> My Podcast Alley feed!</a> {pca-9e5eedca2980409991c8b6a50a451a60}
Just a link to “claim” my podcast - you can ignore this

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I saw a post on another website last week (I won’t reference it to save embarrassment) “I work in a matrix and I don’t think my boss really knows my job and what I spend my time doing, why does my boss not pay more attention ?”
We have been using a questionnaire on our remote […]

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As there are relatively few resources on matrix management issues available I am going to create links to some of the useful ones.
Here is a blog article which defines the matrix and some of the issues Kevin Tucker has found in working with this structure.
Kevin quite rightly emphasises the critical role of people and culture […]

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