PM-500, Unit 2: Web Field Trip: Examine a Projectized Structure

Projectized structures provide the project manager with the most authority over the project. Project managers in a projectized environment are full-time project managers with authority over project decisions – including the project budget. Project teams in a projectized structure only work on one project at a time, unlike teams in a matrix structure.

A project manager in a projectized structure has authority over the project decisions and the project team. Project managers in a projectized structure generally enjoy the project team for the duration of the project, rather than having to share the project team members with operations or other project managers in a functional or matrix structure. Another benefit for the project manager is that communication requirements are not as complex as a matrix structure, because the project team members are collocated and there is not a need to coordinate efforts and schedules with managers and other project managers.

A disadvantage of a projectized structure is that if there is not enough work to sustain the structure there may not be a need for the project manager and the project team. Toward the end of a project there may be uncertainty and lack of focus on the project work as the project team and the project manager look for their next opportunity to remain employed.