#1 HardTech, Inc) Hardtech, Inc. should implement a matrix organization per Ryan’s recommendation to complete their three new initiatives. This will allow each initiative to be run by a discrete, dedicated project team. The project teams will consist of employees from each of the relevant departments allowing deep subject matter expertise as needed to complete the project successfully.
This allows for more adaptability of the work force and quicker response times to complete tasks and close the project within the desired timeframe. A matrix organization enables this because employee resources, road blocks, and conflicts specific to that project are coordinated and solved by a dedicated project manager. The project manager achieves this by keeping a master schedule that holds each employee accountable for project time, cost, and quality while simultaneously battling scope creep.
Traditional/functional organizations operate at the opposite end of the spectrum which tends to be more rigid (not adaptable), lacking broad subject matter expertise, and keep people protecting their own slice of the pie (their specific department). Matrix orgs force people to work for the good of the organization as a whole.
#2 Mearl Oil Case Study) Mearl Oil Company implemented environmental impact targets (EITs) to protect human health and the environment from pollution at its facilities and plants. This was in response to waste effluent causing potential for harm at some facilities in lesser (or none) regulated countries. All locations, including subsidiaries, were to implement changes according to the same EITs.
This is where the conflict came in. Mearl Canada facilities had already spent a lot of money upgrading to meet stringent Ontario environmental standards. Mearl Canada management
