PMI CAPM (Certified Associate in Project Management) Examination Content OutlineProject Management Fundamentals and Core ConceptsHard
A project manager is struggling to get commitment from functional managers for resources on a critical project. Resources are often pulled away for other operational tasks, and the project manager has no direct authority over their assignments. This situation most likely indicates that the project is operating within which organizational structure?
- AFunctional
- BStrong matrix
- CBalanced matrix
- DProject-oriented
Show answer & explanationAnswer & explanation
Correct answer: A. Functional
In a purely functional organization, the project manager has little to no authority, and resources are controlled by their respective functional managers. Project work is often secondary to operational tasks, leading to difficulties in resource commitment.
Why the other options are wrong
- B. Strong matrix organizations give the project manager significant authority, making resource commitment less of an issue.
- C. Balanced matrix organizations share authority, so the PM would have more influence than described here.
- D. Project-oriented organizations give the project manager full authority and dedicated resources.
Functional Organization
An organizational structure in which staff are grouped by specialty (e.g., engineering, manufacturing, IT), and project managers have little to no authority.
- Hierarchy based on function.
- Resources report directly to functional managers.
- Project authority is very low for PMs, often acting as coordinators.
Memory trick: Functional's focus is on departments, not projects.