Life in a Matrix

Regular readers will know that we think there is too much cooperation going on - and this is the subject of the first episode of our new free podcast series
 
A subset of this is the seemingly overwhelming urge to share information.
 

 
How often on our conference calls do we experience a moment like the one […]

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A matrix organization structure solves nothing. It is just a reflection of internal and external complexity. The matrix structure acknowledges that there are multiple and sometimes competing priorities and  shows them in the reporting structure of the organization.
Whether that structure succeeds or fails is dependent on matrix management - how well people work together in […]

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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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This cartoon is based on a real conversation I had with a matrix manager.
Companies set up a matrix organization structure in order to connect people across the traditional silos of functions and locations. We spend time and effort to get people to communicate more.
Unfortunately, once people get the message, there is often an explosion of communication on […]

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One of the main problems that our clients experience in making their matrix structures work is the difficulty in aligning conflicting priotiries and objectives from the different “legs” of the matrix.
If objectives are not aligned people can feel pulled in different directions like the character in our first cartoon.
But a matrix deliberately sacrifices some clarity […]

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Hi and welcome to “life in a matrix“, thanks for stopping by!
I set this blog up to work alongside my corporate Global Integration site and the Speed Lead site for my book so that I could get more of a two-way discussion going with people interested in how to get things done in a matrix (or […]

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