A matrix organization is a structure in which there is more than one line of reporting managers. Effectively, it means that the employees of the organization have more than one boss! The matrix organization structure is blend of projectized organization and the functional organization and takes the best of the both the structures.

Here employees are assigned a job or a project outside their own department for a relatively temporary period. These teams are made up of people with diverse expertise who have come together and formed a team to attain a specific goal. 

The matrix organization structure is complex but Resources are used more efficiently, where equipment and experts are shared across projects. The company’s employees are in touch with many people inside and outside their department. This helps with sharing information, which in turn speeds up many processes, including decision-making.

However, Given the complex nature of matrix structures, ambiguity could come in, employees might be confused about their role and responsibility, whom to report to etc 

Keys to succeed in matrix organization,

Influence: In a matrix, influence is about gaining commitment to your ideas and proposals when you don’t have position authority.

Collaboration: This is the ability to cooperate with others to achieve shared or common goals. Collaboration involves being flexible, putting the collective needs of the group ahead of your own and cooperating with others to achieve results in a positive way.

Clarify Decision Authority: Another challenge that inhibits the performance of a matrix team is the uncertainty that is created by a lack of clarity about who is responsible for making the final decision when there is not agreement on which alternative to choose or how to proceed. One of the keys to navigating and working successfully within a matrix structure is to clarify decision authority

Empathy: Empathy can be defined as the intellectual identification with the feelings, thoughts or attitudes of another. It involves being able to see things from another person’s perspective, even if you don’t agree with them.