Question

List some of the challenges of a functional structure. (Min 125 words)

Answer 1

The functional structure faces a number of challenges. Here are some-  
1) The functional structure differentiates employees from customers: it tends to prevent employees from learning the customer's expectations and to satisfy themselves with the service or product that the company provides.

2) The functional structure hampers the improvement of the process: This is because the organization's break up into functions is not usually linked with the processes used to provide the consumer with a product. This structure can lead to complex, wasteful processes, as people in one area do things that need to be restructured or unfinished in another.

(3) The structure often have a separate quality control or quality assurance function, which can send a message to the rest that there is a quality group and that this is not their responsibility. In addition, the feedback loop breaks down, informing employees of the need to improve their work.