You Are Working With Your Project Sponsor To Decide On The O ✓ Solved

You Are Working With Your Project Sponsor To Decide On The Optimal Pro

You are working with your project sponsor to decide on the optimal project management structure for an upcoming complex project that will involve more than 100 members. The project is similar in complexity to the Marriott Hotel headquarters relocation project, described in the Marriott International Headquarters and Hotel Project on the Montgomery County MD website. The sponsor believes that a dedicated project team structure will not work and has similar concerns about this structure, as noted in your textbook. You are confident that either a functional or a matrix structure will work for the project. Select the structure you think will be most successful. Describe that structure to the sponsor and explain why you believe it will be successful. Post minimum 250 words.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

In managing a complex project involving over 100 team members, selecting an appropriate organizational structure is crucial for success. Given the project's scale and the sponsor's reservations about a dedicated project team, I believe that a matrix organizational structure is most suitable. Its hybrid nature combines elements of functional and projectized structures, facilitating flexibility, efficient resource allocation, and strong communication channels.

A matrix structure features dual reporting relationships: team members report both to their functional managers and the project manager. This setup allows the project to leverage specialized expertise from various functional departments, such as engineering, architecture, logistics, and finance, without creating a completely isolated project team. It is particularly effective for large, complex projects like the Marriott headquarters relocation, which demands coordinated efforts across multiple disciplines.

One of the primary advantages of a matrix structure is its ability to optimize resource utilization. Functional managers retain authority over their specialists, ensuring ongoing development and departmental efficiency, while the project manager oversees project-specific activities. This dual authority fosters collaboration, reduces redundancy, and accelerates decision-making—crucial for meeting tight deadlines and managing multifaceted tasks.

Moreover, the matrix structure promotes better communication and integration across departments. Since team members navigate between functional and project responsibilities, information flows more freely, aiding in problem-solving and innovation. For example, in a project of Marriott's complexity, it ensures that design teams, construction, and logistics departments remain informed and aligned, preventing misunderstandings and delays.

Although managing dual reporting relationships may introduce some complexity in authority, with clear role definitions and effective leadership, these challenges can be mitigated. The matrix also enhances flexibility, allowing for the redistribution of resources as project needs evolve, which is essential in large-scale projects.

In conclusion, a matrix organizational structure offers the most balanced approach for the project’s success. It combines the advantages of functional expertise with the focus and coordination of project management, thereby increasing the likelihood of completing the project efficiently and effectively while addressing the sponsor's concerns about rigid dedicated teams.

References

• Kerzner, H. (2017). Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling. Wiley.
• Schwalbe, K. (2018). Information Technology Project Management. Cengage Learning.
• Larson, E., & Gray, C. (2017). Project Management: The Managerial Process. McGraw-Hill Education.
• PMI. (2017). A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK® Guide) (6th ed.). Project Management Institute.
• Meredith, J. R., & Mantel, S. J. (2014). Project Management: A Managerial Approach. Wiley.
• Marriott International Headquarters and Hotel Project. Montgomery County Maryland Government. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.montgomerycountymd.gov
• Heagney, J. (2016). Fundamentals of Project Management. AMACOM.
• Wysocki, R. K. (2014). Effective Project Management: Traditional, Agile, Extreme. Wiley.
• Heldman, K. (2018). PMP Project Management Professional Exam Study Guide. Sybex.
• Project Management Institute. (2021). Practice Standard for Work Breakdown Structures. PMI.