A Trusted Learning and Development Advisor
A Trusted Learning and Development Advisor
Matrix Management Training Courses work best when they are conducted inhouse. The people in the matrix get together and start knocking on the peripheral of the matrix. What’s working well? What’s not? What’s making your eyes roll?
Matrix Management Training allows greater flexibility across organisations as staff from all departments and areas are working on different projects rather than being confined to their own functional area. It provides staff with variety and the opportunity to apply their specialist knowledge. Perhaps the greatest advantage is that staff can be chosen to suit the requirements of the project. Another advantage of the Matrix Management course is that it can break down silos because staff have to work and share information with other staff from other areas
When you spread your subject experts onto important projects, reporting lines get blurred. You’ll notice the collapsing of reporting line as the structure becomes chaotic. Whilst the Matrix looks great on paper, the biggest downfall of the matrix system is the confusion it causes. Petty conflicts arise, as peers with no authority jostle over one another for power. This Matrix Management Training workshop is designed to settle and unsettle the matrix in a professional manner.
Managers often report they’re frustrated when the same reporting problems keep reoccurring. Quite often it’s the same issue being delivered by the same person on a different day. The #1 cause of workplace conflict is role ambiguity, and roles are further complicated within the matrix framework. Traditional reporting lines are scrambled, tensions build as deadlines get tighter and confusion can reign over who was meant to do what!
Smart managers don’t accept that matrix mayhem is inevitable. Instead, they fence off and solve the problems that will occur within the matrix beforehand. Forward matrix planning is a proven productivity tool. This breakthrough course will provide you and your staff with the skills and knowledge to manage and perform within the matrix.
WHAT IS MATRIX MANAGEMENT?
Matrix management is a structure that uses specialist staff from different functional areas to work on projects or assignments being led by project managers. Staff in the matrix structure have two managers – their functional manager and their project manager. The functional manager maintains the line of authority over the day-to-day issues such as work allocation, performance, sign-offs, etc while the project manager has authority over the issues related to the project.
| Marketing | Information Technology (IT) | Human Resources (HR) | Sales & Service (S&S) | |
| Project 1 — Tony | Jim — Marketing | Jane — IT | Steve — HR | Tina — S&S |
| Project 2 — Simon | Sally — Marketing | Mario — IT | Jenny — HR | Marc — S&S |
| Project 3 — Kate | Stefan —Marketing | Deb — IT | Carrie — HR | Bruce — S&S |
| Project 4 — Naomi | Renae — Marketing | Greg — IT | Dom — HR | Ali — S&S |
WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?
The figure below shows an example of a basic matrix structure. Across the top are the typical organisational functions of marketing, information technology, human resources and sales & service. Down the left-hand side are the various projects being undertaken by the firm. Each project has a project leader and is staffed by a person from each of the functional areas.
A unique dynamic of matrix management is that it creates a dual line of command, as the project team leaders report to their functional manager as well as their project manager. Jim from Marketing is part of Project 1, so his project manager is Tony, however he still reports to his functional manager. Our matrix management workshop enables participants to effectively work in matrix-managed teams with a matrix reporting structure.
DISADVANTAGES
The disadvantages of matrix management are caused by the dual line of command, and this typically plays out as a conflict around resource allocation between the line or functional manager and the project manager. Staff then find themselves lost in the matrix as their functional manager is demanding or refusing one thing while their project manager is demanding something else. The challenge for matrix management is to work through the role clarity issues and providing staff and managers with clear guidelines to address role ambiguity.
“Matrix management is a structure that uses specialist staff from different functional areas to work on projects or assignments being led by project managers.”
This program can be conducted as in house training at your offices.
Group Size: An ideal group size is 6 – 10 participants.
Venue: For your convenience, you can choose to conduct this program at your offices. Alternatively, we can provide a training venue at a small additional cost.
Duration: Each course can be tailored to your timeframe.
Cost: Upon request.
Target Audience: Project Managers, Project Leads, Stream Leads and Line Managers.
A program outline:
Want to know more about our matrix training? Look at what you receive within 24 hours at no cost:
If you would like more information on this training program, please contact: Deborah Dear on 1300 323 752 or email: [email protected] or contact us online today.
