Question

Imagine that your company is switching to a matrix structure . Before, you were working in a functional structure. Now, every employee is going to report to a product/team leader (Product A, B and C) as well as a department manager (ex: Marketing, Research & Development, Production, Procurement, and Finance).

Create a list of things that need to be done after the change occurs. List and explain at least 5 things/steps to do?

Answer 1

Moving or switching to a matrix based structure where employees would be reporting to a project or product group leader as well as department manager, there might be subtle changes from the existing functional structure. To ensure the smooth transition and cope with the new structure, one must ensure below things to get up to the speeds-

1. Understanding the Job responsibility- One should clearly understand the roles and responsibility in changed scenario. It will help the individual to be mentally ready before being inducted in new set up.

2. Understanding the project and work- There might be possibilities that employee would be a given new set of work, which he or she may not be very familiar with. Hence it’s better to do some ground work to deliver the job assignments after new structure.

3. Request for a formal training or induction in new set up- If employee is not convinced or comfortable with new set up, he or should request for a formal session or training to understand and fulfill the management aspirations.

4. Reading and getting trained on new concepts (self training)- Reading and getting trained on new techniques will help a lot to getting used to the new challenges.

5. Interacting with the group head and managers- It’s a small yet very important gesture which ensures that repartee and manager know each other very well. Personal bonding can also help a lot.