Deck 3: Organization: Structure and Culture

Question 1

Which of the following structures is referred to in popular literature as a projectized form of organizations?

A)Functional organization
B)Balanced matrix organization
C)Weak matrix organization
D)Strong matrix organization
E)Projectized organization

Answer 1

E
Explanation: In the case of firms where projects are the dominant form of business, such as a construction firm or a consulting firm, the entire organization is designed to support project teams.Instead of one or two special projects, the organization consists of sets of quasi-independent teams working on specific projects.The main responsibility of traditional functional departments is to assist and support these project teams.

Question 2

The project manager has the responsibility to answer which of the following questions?

A)What task has to be done?
B)Who will do the task?
C)How will the task be done?
D)How well has the functional input been integrated?
E)Why will the task be done?

Answer 2

A

Question 3

In which of the following is the balance of authority strongly in favor of the functional managers?

A)Weak matrix
B)Balanced matrix
C)Strong matrix
D)Strong
E)Both C and D are correct

Answer 3

A
Explanation: This form attempts to create the "feel" of a project team within a matrix environment.The project manager controls most aspects of the project, including scope trade-offs and assignment of functional personnel.The project manager controls when and what specialists do and has final say on major project decisions.The functional manager has title over her people and is consulted on a need basis.In some situations a functional manager's department may serve as a "subcontractor" for the project, in which case they have more control over specialized work.

Question 4

Elizabeth is considering how to structure a project team that will not directly disrupt ongoing operations.The project needs to be done quickly and a high level of motivation will be needed in order to do that.For this situation, the ______ organization would be the best choice.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 5

Bill is working on a project involving the upgrading of a management information system.The project is being managed by the information systems department with coordination with other departments occurring through normal channels.He is working in a _________ organization.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 6

Projectitis is most likely to occur in the _______ organization structure.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 7

Computers R Us is concerned about keeping project costs low and wants to be sure that all pools of expertise are used.Additionally they want to minimize duplication of efforts across projects.Their best choice for project management structure is the _______ organization structure.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 8

A project team that operates with a full-time project manager as a separate unit from the rest of the organization is structured as a ________ organization.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Projectized

Question 9

Organizations have difficulty in creating a system for managing projects because

A)Contrary to typical operations, projects are one-time efforts
B)Projects are multidisciplinary while organizations are usually departmentalized by discipline
C)Projects are not focused on profits
D)Both a and b are correct
E)A, B, and C are all correct

Question 10

Which of the following combinations represents the extremes of project organization?

A)Strong matrix and balanced matrix organizations
B)Functional and dedicated project teams
C)Project and balanced matrix organizations
D)Project and strong matrix organizations
E)Strong matrix and functional organizations

Question 11

Which of the following is a disadvantage of functional project management organization?

A)Lack of motivation of project team members
B)Longer project duration
C)Lack of focus on the project
D)Both b and c are correct
E)A, B, and C are all correct

Question 12

A project management system provides a framework for launching and implementing project activities within a ______ organization.

A)Matrix
B)Balanced
C)Weak
D)Sponsor
E)Parent

Question 13

MegaComputers, Inc.has assigned a project manager for each of the five new-product teams.The managers as well as the project team members work on the projects on a full-time basis.The structure being used is ________ organization.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 14

Organizational culture is best explained as organizational

A)Personality
B)Hierarchy
C)Reporting relationships
D)Background
E)Management style

Question 15

Which of the following is an advantage of a functional project management organization?

A)Maximum flexibility in the use of staff
B)Good integration across functional units
C)Shorter project duration
D)Strong motivation of project team members
E)All of these are advantages

Question 16

_________ organization is a hybrid form in which a horizontal project management structure is overlaid in the normal functional hierarchy.

A)Functional
B)Matrix
C)Project
D)Balanced
E)A, B, and C are all correct

Question 17

The structure that manages projects within the existing organizational structure is __________ organization.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 18

A good project management system provides for defining the interface between the project team and the organization in all the following areas except

A)Authority
B)Allocation of resources
C)Development of project team members
D)Integration of the project into the organization
E)All of these are provided

Question 19

Kim is reviewing a proposed project.The scope of the project is narrow with a lot of in-depth expertise required and it will take a short period of time to complete.The best choice for organizing the project is ________ organization.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 20

Matrix management violates the management principle of

A)Span of control
B)Unity of command
C)Parity principle
D)Empowerment
E)All of these management principles

Question 21

All are negotiated issues except:

A)Who will do the task?
B)Where will the task be done?
C)Why will the task be done?
D)Is the task satisfactorily completed?
E)The total cost of the project

Question 22

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which work activities are organized around groups rather than individuals?

A)Member identity
B)Team emphasis
C)Managerial focus
D)Unit integration
E)Control

Question 23

The Macintosh development team at Apple is a good example of what kind of project structure?

A)Project
B)Balanced Matrix
C)Project Matrix
D)Functional Matrix
E)Functional

Question 24

A simple explanation of ________ is that it reflects the personality of an organization.

Question 25

The project structure that is ranked as most effective for developing new products is ______ organization.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 26

The ________ organizational approach to project management uses the existing hierarchy of the organization to manage projects.

Question 27

From the list below, which is not a primary characteristic of organization culture?

A)Control
B)Team emphasis
C)History
D)Conflict tolerance
E)Risk tolerance

Question 28

At Apple Computer, the Macintosh development team was isolated in a separate building and given the prime directive to develop a breakthrough computer as quickly as possible.This is an example of using the ________ organizational approach to project management.

Question 29

One of the major advantages of the ________ organizational approach to project management is that specialists in different departments can temporarily be assigned to work on the project and then return to their normal work.

Question 30

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which groups within the organization are encouraged to operate in a coordinated or independent manner?

A)Member identity
B)Team emphasis
C)Managerial focus
D)Unit integration
E)Control

Question 31

Who is responsible for determining what tasks have to be done in a matrix project management structure?

A)The functional manager
B)The project manager
C)Both are responsible
D)This is no pattern of who takes responsibility
E)None of these are true

Question 32

Two of the major disadvantages of the ________ organizational approach to project management are that projects may lack focus and it can take longer to complete projects.

Question 33

Which of the following is not one of the typical forms of a project management office?

A)Command center
B)Control tower
C)Resource pool
D)Weather station
E)All of these are typical forms of a project management office

Question 34

Factors in identifying cultural characteristics include all the following except

A)Norms.
B)Customs.
C)Values.
D)Both B and C are correct.
E)A, B, and C are all correct.

Question 35

A high level of motivation and the tendency for projects to get done more quickly are benefits of using the ________ organizational approach to project management.

Question 36

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which employees identify with the organization as a whole rather than with their type of job or field of professional expertise?

A)Member identity
B)Team emphasis
C)Managerial focus
D)Unit integration
E)Control

Question 37

Which of the following cultural characteristics relates to the degree to which management focuses on outcomes rather than on techniques and processes used to achieve those results?

A)Risk tolerance
B)Reward criteria
C)Conflict tolerance
D)Means versus end orientation
E)Open-systems focus

Question 38

The Organizational Culture Diagnosis Worksheet classifies cultural characteristics into all of the following except:

A)Physical characteristics
B)Public documents
C)Behavior
D)Folklore
E)Ethics

Question 39

The project structure that is ranked as least effective is _______ organization.

A)Functional
B)Balanced matrix
C)Weak matrix
D)Strong matrix
E)Project

Question 40

Who is responsible for determining how tasks will be done in a matrix project management structure?

A)The functional manager
B)The project manager
C)Both are responsible
D)This is no pattern of who takes responsibility
E)None of these are true

Question 41

The ________ matrix form of project organization is likely to enhance project integration, diminish internal power struggles, and ultimately improve control of project activities and costs.

Question 42

The ________ structure is designed to optimally utilize resources by having individuals work on multiple projects as well as being capable of performing normal functional duties.

Question 43

___________ refers to the degree to which employees are encouraged to be aggressive, innovative, and risk seeking.

Question 44

____________ refers to the degree to which the organization monitors and responds to changes in the external environment.

Question 45

The ________ matrix form of project organization can achieve better equilibrium between technical and project requirements, but it is a very delicate system to create and manage.

Question 46

Organization ________ refers to a system of shared norms, beliefs, values, and assumptions which bind people together, thereby creating shared meanings.

Question 47

One key factor that determines the relative importance of project and functional managers is the determination of which and how _________ are to be performed.

Question 48

________, a strong feeling of we-they divisiveness, can undermine the integration of the eventual outcomes of the project into mainstream operations.

Question 49

__________ were originally developed as a response to the poor track record many companies had in completing projects on time, within budget, and according to plan.

Question 50

In a Snapshot from Practice, at ________ Corporation, employees put in the hours necessary to get a job done, even if it requires staying up all night; however, they also may stay home to tend to a sick child and do makeup work at some other time.

Question 51

Strong, heavyweight, or ________ is used to describe a matrix in which the balance of authority is strongly on the side of the project manager.

Question 52

In a __________ PO structure, the primary function of the PMO is to provide the organization with a cadre of trained project managers and professionals.

Question 53

While organization culture is important to the overall function of an organization, it has minor influence on its project management.

Question 54

In a ________ system, there are usually two chains of command, one along functional lines and the other along project lines.

Question 55

Matrix management violates the management principle of ________.

Question 56

As more and more companies embrace project management as a critical vehicle for realizing corporate objectives, they are creating centralized ________ to oversee and improve the management of projects.

Question 57

In a __________ PO structure, the primary function of the PMO is to track and monitor project performance.

Question 58

Research suggests that there is a strong connection between project management structure, organization ________, and project success.

Question 59

In a __________ PO structure, the primary function of the PMO is to improve project execution.

Question 60

The ________ matrix form of project organization is likely to improve technical quality as well as provide a better system for managing conflict across projects because the functional manager assigns personnel to different projects.

Question 61

The functional project team is usually physically separated from the parent organization and given the primary directive of accomplishing the objectives of the project.

Question 62

The matrix form of project management is predicated on tension between functional managers and project managers who bring critical expertise and perspectives to the project.

Question 63

The project form of project management structure is commonly used when one functional area plays a dominant role in completing the project or has a dominant interest in the success of the project.

Question 64

The relationship between the Apple II and Mac teams at Apple Computer is a good example of projectitis.

Question 65

Many organizations have struggled with project management organization because projects contradict fundamental design principals associated with traditional organizations.

Question 66

Organizational culture refers to a system of shared norms, beliefs, values, and assumptions which bind people together.

Question 67

The project form of project management structure is a good choice when speed of completion of the project without directly disrupting ongoing operations is important.

Question 68

Project management offices were originally developed to make optimal use of scarce project resources.

Question 69

The matrix form of project management structure is a good choice when the scope of the project is narrow and maximum flexibility in staff usage is important.

Question 70

A disadvantage of using the functional form of project management structure is that projects generally take longer to complete.

Question 71

In a balanced matrix form of project management, the project manager is responsible for defining what needs to be accomplished while the functional managers are concerned with how it will be accomplished.

Question 72

"Silver bullets" and "Tiger Teams" are terms that are frequently given to functional project management teams.

Question 73

The three forms of matrix project management are weak, mixed, and strong.

Question 74

Whether a matrix is weak or strong is determined by the extent to which the project manager has direct authority over project participants.

Question 75

In the projectized form of company organization the main responsibility of traditional functional departments is to assist and support the project teams.

Question 76

The functional form of project management has been rated as the most effective of the various forms of organizing project teams.

Question 77

Creating teams using the project form of project management structure results in the maximum technological expertise being brought to bear on project problems.

Question 78

Matrix management is a hybrid organizational form in which a horizontal project management structure is "overlaid" on the normal functional hierarchy.

Question 79

In a matrix form of project management, the project managers report directly to a Director of projects, who supervises all projects.

Question 80

One of the major disadvantages of the project form of project management structure is that it tends to be more expensive than other forms of organizing.