Designing Authority Matrix

A discussion in CiteHR http://www.citehr.com/284165-authority-matrix.html


Here we have a situation where a matrix needs to be designed to share the decision making . We understand in an organization there would be different projects managed within the company with support from cross functional teams. There are leadership at different levels, who are either accountable or required to make recommendations .

Definition: Authority matrix is fundamentally an arrangement where the decision making is divided in different levels to empower specialised task. The division of authority includes different areas such as accountability, responsibility, recommendation and consultation finally information sharing. Accountability is directly associated with the person who delivers the job. Responsibility would be from the person who is responsible for the one who is delivering the job , i.e. the reporting manager. Every job would require certain degree of indirect association , i.e. through consulting where the employee may not be responsible for the end result yet require to recommend. Finally information sharing about a task processed is essential for the employees who might be associated to the process and would be required to respond. For e.g. in a technical firm the engineer would be accountable for developing the product , the Project manager would be responsible for the project completion, the subject matter experts may require to consult finally the senior management needs to be informed about the job completion.

Designing the Matrix Structure : CEO leads the org structure with core decision making capabilities. He would be accountable for making the prime decisions, such as what business charter should be agreed with the client. Strategic decision making would be entirely his purview. The next level of executives including the Directors responsible for operations, would take operational decisions. This would remain an internal activity. The approval to any situation related to operations , including any purchase or hiring would be made by them. Hence they might be the signatories to bills, appointment letters and other internal circulars. The next level leadership including the General Managers and Senior Managers would require recommending and providing consultation to the Directors .

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