1.4.3 Organisational design - types of structures

Question 1

3 - types of structures

Answer 1

Tall structures
Flat structures
Matrix structures

Question 2

Tall structures

Answer 2

An organisation structure where the will be many levels/layers in the chain of command and a narrow span of control

Question 3

Characteristics of tall structures

Answer 3

• lots of layers
• more layers of management
• long chain of command
• Narrow span of control

Question 4

Pros (2) & Cons( 4)

Tall structures

Answer 4

Pros
- Managers have tighter controls
- clear promotional route (motivating for workers)

Cons
- communication issued due to long chain of command
- decision making process slower due to long chain of command
- tight control = motivational issues for employees
- expensive due to managers(increased management costs)

Question 5

Flat structures

Answer 5

An organsation structure where they will be few levels/layers in chain of command and wider span of control

Question 6

Flat structures characteristics

Answer 6

• fewer layers
• fewer layers of management
• short chain of command
• wide span of control

Question 7

Pros (3) & Cons (2)

flat structures

Answer 7

Pros
- Good communication
- decision making quickly
- workers more motivated due to less control
- cheaper costs due to fewer layers of management

Cons
- Managers may lose control of workforce
- difficult to supervise quality/productivity of staff

Question 8

Matrix sturcutre

Answer 8

An organisation structure which combines the traditional departments seen in functional structures with project teams.

Question 9

In a matrix structure individuals work where?

How many managers do they have because of this

Answer 9

Work across teams and projects as well within their own departments

2 managers ( Team leader of project & department managers)

Question 10

An examples of a project team in a matrix structure

What do all these individuals have

Answer 10

Project team can include :
- Marketing individuals
- Operations individuals
- Finance individuals

have specialist skills and individual responsibilities to help carry out the project

Question 11

Pros -2 & cons -3 of Matrix structure

Answer 11

pros
- motivating for employees as working in team + using their own skillsets effectively
- Flexible (?)

Cons
- difficult to coordinate - have to draw up teams from different departments
- Divided loyalties from team members (notes)
- Expensive (?)