project organization chart

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  1. Resource: Chs. 4 and 7 of
    Project Management Leadership and
    Project Organization Chart Grading Guide.

    Select one of the organizational structures from Ch. 7.

    Create a project organization chart to staff the project from OLLO using the previously created WBS.

    Complete the project organization chart using a presentation software such as Microsoft®PowerPoint® or Prezi, or Microsoft® Visio®.

    Include a justification of approximately 175 words for each decision.

    Identify optimal skill sets for each position. Then, develop six to ten interview questions that will assess each employee’s interest and ability in filling that position.

    Include a summary of approximately 350 words in which you explain how the questions would help you choose the most qualified employees, considering technical and social skills.

    Write approximately 700 words in which you describe the role of a project leader in making staffing decisions and how the project leader will ensure they are choosing the right individual for each position.

    Combine the interview questions and summary, project organization chart, and summary into a cohesive report.

    Format your report consistent with APA guidelines.

    Submit your assignment.






    2. Functional Organization Structure

    The most pervasive organization structure is the basic hierarchical structure which has been handed down from the medieval kingdoms, the military and the church. The functional organization structure groups people by specialization (production, marketing, accounts, engineering, etc.). The principle behind the functional structure is that it is easier to manage specialists if they are grouped together and supervised by an individual with similar skills and experiences. This centralizes similar resources, gives an economy of scale, provides mutual support by physical proximity and clearly defines line and staff divisions of responsibility and authority.
    Figure 4.2 outlines a typical functional structure with a number of functional departments reporting to the general manager. This structure is ideal for projects within a department, and for projects where the work of each department can be performed separately.

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    Figure 4.2: Functional Organization Structure – shows a functional organization breakdown structure subdivided into civil, structural and mechanical

    For example, on a construction project, the civil department would complete its scope of work and then hand it over to the structural department, which, in turn, would complete its scope of work before handing it over to the mechanical department (see
    Figure 4.3).

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    Figure 4.3: Gantt Chart – shows project work being performed sequentially as separate projects

    2.1 Functional Organization Structure Advantages

    Table 4.2 considers some of the
    advantages inherent in a functional organization structure, particularly for projects within a department.

    Table 4.2: Advantages of a Functional Organization Structure
    Simple OBS The functional department is a simple structure which is easy to understand and easy to use.
    Technical Expertise Functional departments provide a home for technical expertise and a platform for continuing technical development.
    Support Functional departments provide good support for work carried out within the department.
    Flexibility Functional departments can achieve a high degree of flexibility for projects within the department, because people in the department can be assigned to the project, then immediately reassigned to another project. Switching back and forth between projects is easily achieved.
    Career Path Functional departments provide the normal career path within a company for advancement and promotion.
    Estimating A functional department’s work is simpler to estimate and simpler to manage as the scope of work is usually restricted to the department’s field of expertise, and the functional database should contain information from previous projects (closeout reports).
    Communication Lines of communication within the department are short and well established.
    Reaction Time There is a quick reaction time to problems within the department.
    Team Building As the functional department staff are continually working together, the team building should be well developed in the performing phase (see Chapter 15 on Team Development Phases).
    Consistent Work Some employees prefer working in a consistent work environment with similar work routines, rather than the changeable and challenging work environment of diverse multi-disciplined projects.
    Responsibility Functional departments clearly define the team member’s responsibility and authority within a well-established chain of command.

    These advantages clearly show that a functional organization structure is an efficient and effective way of managing projects within the functional department.