Life in a Matrix

In  a previous post on matrix management skills we talked about the importance of networking in getting things done in a matrix organization structure.

A useful tool in this area is network mapping where we get participants in our skills for the matrix training to draw their network and analyze it to identify gaps, strengths, weaknesses etc…

I know there are also consultants (not us) who will construct elaborate (and expensive) maps of the communication networks and sets of connections within an organization. These are great tools to identify the actual flow of information and connections within a matrix organization - which are sometimes hard to discern and may bear little relationship to the formal structure.

Unfortunately traditional methods of mapping these complex flows in detail have been expensive and time consuming to produce,.

Then I came across these cool tools at Trampoline Systems - they can be used to map social and communication networks based on inputs like email traffic.

Another potentially useful tool for making your matrix networks more explicit and visible - take a look