Much has been written about how to identify and interpret signs that indicate that a new organizational form is needed. Grinnell and Apple have identified five signs in addition to those previously described in Section 3.625:
Management is satisfied with its technical skills, but projects are not meeting time, cost, and other project requirements.
There is a high commitment to getting project work done, but great fluctuation in how well performance specifications are met.
Highly talented specialists involved in the project feel exploited and misused.
Particular technical groups or individuals constantly blame each other for failure to meet specifications or delivery dates.
Projects are on time and to specification, but groups and individuals aren’t satisfied with the achievement. Grinnell and Apple state that there is a good chance that a matrix structure will eliminate or alleviate these problems. Do you agree or disagree? Does your answer depend on the type of project? Give examples or counterexamples to defend your answers.