What is a matrix structure?

Find out how to apply the matrix structure in your company, its advantages, and learn about structures that are similar to the matrix structure All companies need to create a hierarchical level, to give managers responsibilities and have a better alignment within the sectors, which is why the matrix structure is applied, which directs a fixed order.

The matrix structure has the objective of increasing the productivity of the team through the matrix organization that involves the division of two managers who must support the same department. In this way, employees will have more than one manager to turn to, in moments of decision-making, to resolve failures and also discuss new solutions for the progress of tasks. 

A separation of the functions and positions of each area is made, and from this arises the matrix departmentalization, in which different actions and developments will be directed in each sector. To have a more fluid and personalized dynamic.

Why does the matrix structure?

Because companies that seek a more flexible and cooperative organization can adopt the matrix structure to escape the traditional work model, placing professionals from different areas separated by groups, which will be attended by the same managers.

Thus creating a balance in its entire structure, when it comes to project management and department management, the employee will have direct access to these references, and they can increase their professional quality, gain more experience and improve their internal development. Autonomy is a fundamental point to having a more productive team, as it creates independence and makes available employees from several areas allocated in a single sector.

In traditional companies, each sector has employees from the same area who solve specific issues, such as the financial area that will resolve issues related to finance. And in the matrix structure, you will find finance, marketing, and HR professionals all working together to quickly resolve the entire progress of the project, without having to seek help outside the group, resorting only to department and project managers.

What are the types of matrix structures?

In addition to the matrix structure, divisional and functional structures can also be used in the same model, we will comment on them below: 

Divisional 

It is separated into different areas, applicable to large companies that need to maintain a more focused focus on the product, the brand, the industry, the competition, the market, and points in this segment.

Being suitable for teams that work more individually, being self-sufficient and isolated from other sectors, without the need for immediate approval from the headquarters or managers, to carry out the decision-making and actions appropriate to the tasks.

Because of this, operating costs are higher than other structures, as they need to select professionals who are experts in the selected area, make processes intuitive, and autonomous and, because they are isolated, have different budgets.

Functional

It is the most common structure model and is preferred by companies, in which professionals who have similarities in their specializations, skills, functions, and related positions are grouped, allowing the clarity of the next challenges and goals to be met.

The issue of maintaining hierarchy levels by sector follows, and they have their leaders to turn to during activities, with a focus on presenting the best possible result in each area. With a lot of appreciation for each specialty, encouraging employees to maintain continuity in improving, in addition to the manager being able to give individual attention to the improvement of each employee, increasing the performance and effectiveness of the processes.

The matrix structure is a type of organizational structure, which has similarities with vertical and horizontal structures. We separate the main points and similarities between them, for you to define what moment your company's structure is and how to evolve to the matrix.

Vertical organizational structure

It is the most used by companies because it follows a more traditional model, in which the hierarchical level is what most people know, in which the CEO is at the top of the hierarchy, occupying a higher position and function than other employees.

And the intern is at the base of the hierarchical level, being the function that most needs to be developed within the company, who seeks a career plan and has less contact with the CEO of the company. The organizational chart has a line of several administrative levels, which can compose all areas, may have an HR manager, financial management, and marketing manager, and the employees of each group have specialization in the area assigned to the sector.

It is more similar to the functional matrix structure, as it separates into several groups, generates more costs, has more isolation of departments, and has a more visible and linear hierarchical level that needs to be followed.

Horizontal organizational structure

It is lighter and there are fewer requirements about following the hierarchical organizational chart point by point, allowing all managers and employees to have mutual contacts, the same chances of career plans, and little dependence on their managers.

Senior positions do not need to carry out approvals all the time, as the horizontal structure allows the employee to develop more mastery in his role and thus work more individually in his actions. It is the format that most generates autonomy, self-sufficiency, and self-management and with a more isolated performance, in the same way as the divisional matrix structure.

Advantages of the matrix structure

The matrix structure has its advantages because:

• Provides more interdependence;
• Organizational fluidity;
• More autonomy for employees;
• Be more focused on projects;
• Teams can be changed flexibly;
• Greater organizational structure;
• Increases the connectivity of employees;
• Enhances independence in decision-making;

It is necessary to maintain good organization and communication with managers and employees so that they do not get confused during the processes and surround themselves with the flexibility of teams and projects.

Muhammad Naeem Sajid

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