In a functional structure, a project manager repeatedly waits for departmental managers to release staff, causing delays. Which structural weakness is most evident?

here are the solutions to Questions 18 and 19: Question 18: In a functional structure, a project manager repeatedly waits for departmental managers to release staff, causing delays. Which structural weakness is most evident? Step 1: Understand the nature of a functional structure in project management. In a functional organization, project managers have limited authority. Resources (staff) report directly to their functional managers, who control their assignments and priorities. Project managers must negotiate with functional managers to acquire staff for their projects. Step 2: Analyze the problem described. The project manager "repeatedly waits for departmental managers to release staff, causing delays." This directly indicates that the project manager lacks direct control over resources and depends on the functional managers' willingness and availability to assign staff. Step 3: Evaluate the given options. a. Excessive project-manager authority: This is incorrect. In a functional structure, project managers typically have low* authority. b. Weak access to resources and limited project ownership*: This accurately describes the situation. The project manager has weak access to staff (resources) and, as a result, often has limited ownership or accountability for the project's success due to lack of control. c. High cost of a dedicated team*: This is incorrect. Functional structures usually involve shared resources, not dedicated teams, and thus this is not a typical weakness. d. Difficulty reintegrating team members*: This is a weakness associated with projectized structures where dedicated teams are disbanded, not functional structures where staff remain in their departments. The correct option is b. Weak access to resources and limited project ownership. --- Question 19: In a matrix organisation, a project manager and functional manager share authority, but neither consistently has final control over project decisions. Which matrix form is most likely? Step 1: Recall the characteristics of different matrix structures. Weak matrix*: Functional manager has more power; project manager acts as an expediter or coordinator with limited authority. Balanced matrix*: Project manager and functional manager share authority more equally. This often leads to a situation where both have significant input, and decisions require negotiation, meaning neither consistently has final control. Strong matrix*: Project manager has more power; functional manager provides resources. Step 2: Analyze the scenario. The scenario states that "a project manager and functional manager share authority, but neither consistently has final control over project decisions." This implies a situation where power is distributed, and decisions often require consensus or negotiation, rather than one party having ultimate authority. Step 3: Match the scenario to the matrix forms. The description perfectly fits a balanced matrix structure, where the authority is shared, and the lack of a single, consistent decision-maker can be a characteristic challenge. The correct option is b. Balanced matrix. Drop the next question!