Making Matrix Structures Work:: Creating Clarity on Unit Roles and Responsibility

Managers often find matrix structures ambiguous, confusing and inefficient. A key reason for these problems is the lack of clarity on the roles that each unit in the matrix is intended to play. We therefore propose an approach to describing unit roles, responsibilities and relationships in a way that is clear, but not excessively detailed and hierarchical. We also put forward a new taxonomy of eight different typs of unit role. The taxonomy forces more clarity about basic differences in roles between units, and also helps in laying out different possible organisation design options in a powerful and concise way. It is therefore an essential component in making the matrix structure work.