Question 1

As discussed in the text,the three forms of matrix project management are weak,mixed,and strong.

Accepted Answer

The three forms are weak,balanced,and strong.

Question 2

Certain aspects of the culture of an organization support successful project management while other aspects deter or interfere with effective management.

Accepted Answer

There are subcultures within an organization where differing norms and values exist.Those working in marketing may have different values than those working in finance.

Question 3

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

Accepted Answer

Organizational culture refers to a system of shared norms,beliefs,values,and assumptions which binds people together,thereby creating shared meanings.This system is manifested by customs and habits that exemplify the values and beliefs of the organization.

Question 4

Control is the cultural characteristic that refers to the degree to which management decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization.

Accepted Answer

Management focus refers to the degree to which management decisions take into account the effect of outcomes on people within the organization.

Question 5

When determining the most appropriate project management structure,considerations need to be made at the organizational level and at the project level.

Accepted Answer

At the organizational level,the importance of project management to the success of the firm needs to be considered as well as resource availability.At the project level,things such as project size,strategic importance and need for innovation need to be considered.

Question 6

Generally,the more autonomy and authority the project manager and the project team need to be successful,the more appropriate to implement either a dedicated project team or a strong project management structure.

Accepted Answer

The bigger the project,the more environmentally complex,the tighter the budget and cost constraint,the more autonomy and authority the project manager and the project team need to be successful.This translates into using either a dedicated project team or a strong project matrix structure.

Question 7

There are strong connections among project management structure,organizational culture,and project success.

Accepted Answer

There are strong relationships among project management structure,organizational culture,and successful project management.

Question 8

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

Accepted Answer

The projectized form is expensive.Not only have you created a new management position (project manager),but resources are also assigned on a full-time basis.This can result in duplication of efforts across projects and a loss of economies of scale.

Question 9

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.

Accepted Answer

The merger of "what and how" requires both parties to work closely together and jointly approve technical and operational decisions.

Question 10

Member identity refers to the degree to which work activities are organized around groups rather than individuals.

Accepted Answer

Team emphasis refers to the degree to which work activities are organized around groups rather than individuals.

Question 11

One advantage of a matrix project management structure is that it is fast and easy to implement.

Accepted Answer

A matrix structure cannot be installed overnight.Experts argue that it takes 3-5 years for a matrix structure to fully mature.

Question 12

Unit integration is the cultural characteristic that refers to the degree to which units within the organization are encouraged to operate in a coordinated or independent manner.

Accepted Answer

Unit integration refers to the degree to which units within the organization are encouraged to operate in a coordinated or independent manner.

Question 13

The matrix form of project management is notable for the tension it creates between functional managers and project managers who both bring critical expertise and perspectives to the project.

Accepted Answer

The matrix approach is predicated on tension between functional managers and project managers who bring critical expertise and perspectives to the project.Such tension is viewed as a necessary mechanism for achieving an appropriate balance between complex technical issues and unique project requirements.

Question 14

When three forms of the matrix project management structure are considered,all share the same advantages and disadvantages and at an equal level.

Accepted Answer

When the variant forms of the matrix approach are considered,we can see that advantages and disadvantages are not necessarily true for all three forms.The strong matrix is likely to enhance project integration,diminish internal power struggles,and ultimately improve control of project activities and costs.On the downside,technical quality may suffer because functional areas have less control over their contributions.

Question 15

Within a matrix project management structure,the extent to which the project manager has direct authority over project participants depends on whether the matrix is weak,balanced,or strong.

Accepted Answer

In practice there are different kinds of matrix systems,depending on the relative authority of the project and functional managers.

Question 16

The projectized form of project management structure is a good choice when speed of completion is important and the project needs to be implemented without directly disrupting ongoing operations.

Accepted Answer

Projects tend to get done more quickly when participants devote their full attention to the project and are not distracted by other obligations and duties.

Question 17

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

Accepted Answer

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

Question 18

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

Accepted Answer

Dedicated project teams are teams which operate as separate units from the rest of the parent organization.Usually a full-time project manager is designated to pull together a core group of specialists who work full time on the project.

Question 19

There are often considerable differences in how projects are managed within certain firms,even if the same project management structure is being used.Explain.

Accepted Answer

The answer of There are often considerable differences in how...

Question 20

In the projectized form of project management structure,there is limited technological expertise when compared to the functional or matrix organization.

Accepted Answer

Creating self-contained teams inhibits maximum technological expertise.It is limited somewhat to the talents and experience of the specialists assigned to the project.

Quiz 3: Organization: Structure and Culture