Test your knowledge: Understanding organizational structure

Test your knowledge: Understanding organizational structure

  1. Which of the following scenarios best describes a Classic structure?

    • Imagine you work alongside a small group of project managers. One of your current projects shares team members with another, ongoing project. To make sure you hit your next milestone, you want your team members to work only on your project for the next two weeks. You decide to meet with your team to discuss your proposal.

    • Imagine you are managing an important project at a company that requires all orders to go through its shipping department. However, your project is on a tight schedule, and the shipping department has a backlog of orders. You decide to meet with your direct manager to ask for approval to place the order through a third-party vendor. Ultimately, your direct manager has to meet with a vice president to get final approval.

    • Imagine you work at a small marketing agency, and you have just begun a new project. All of the company’s graphic designers work in the Art department and report to the Art Director. However, two of those graphic designers have been assigned to your project, so they will also report to you while working on the project.

  2. Why is it important for a project manager in a Matrix organization to clearly define roles and responsibilities? Select all that apply.

    • Because project managers can have the same level of authority as functional managers

    • Because project managers must get approval from their direct superiors for any decisions they make about day-to-day project activities

    • Because employees may report to more than one person and have multiple responsibilities across teams

    • Because project managers need to identify their single manager or director

  3. What are some ways that organizational structure can impact the role of a project manager? Select all that apply.

    • Their approach to getting approvals

    • Their access to resources

    • Their possibility of career growth

    • Their level of authority 

  4. What are some key functions of a Project Management Office (PMO)? Select all that apply.

    • Implementing project management best practices

    • Creating project documentation, archives, and tools

    • Strategic planning and governance

    • Managing the organization’s income and expenses