Ann, a project manager, is working for a new company. On her first project, the assigned project resources do not follow her direction. She is not allowed to authorize contractors because they say…

The correct answer is C. The project team is functional. In a functional organizational structure, employees report directly to functional managers (department heads), and project managers have little to no formal authority over resources. Resources receive direction from their functional manager, not the PM. This explains why Ann…

Project management concepts

Question

Ann, a project manager, is working for a new company. On her first project, the assigned project resources do not follow her direction. She is not allowed to authorize contractors because they say she does not have the authority. Which of the following is the MOST likely explanation for what is happening?

Options

AAnn is new to the organization so no one trusts her
BAnn has not developed a communications plan
CThe project team is functional
DThe project has not started

How the community answered

(27 responses)

A
19% (5)
B
7% (2)
C
70% (19)
D
4% (1)

Explanation

In a functional organizational structure, employees report directly to functional managers (department heads), and project managers have little to no formal authority over resources. Resources receive direction from their functional manager, not the PM. This explains why Ann cannot direct her team or authorize contractors-those decisions rest with the functional managers. A matrix structure would give the PM some shared authority, and a projectized structure would give the PM full authority. Ann's situation is a textbook description of operating within a functional organization, regardless of whether she is new.

Topics

#organizational structure#functional organization#authority#resource management

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