Advantages and Disadvantages of the Structure - Essay Example

To avoid redundancy of functions, the project is aided through the specialization of already existing functional divisions of the organization. A limited number of employees shall be hired to form part of the project team, providing technical expertise that is not available with in-house departments. General equipment, labor, and materials are provided by such units which in turn charge them off against the project costing account.

A contracts officer must be hired to manage all communications between the project team and functional divisions, to convey project requirements to them, and to establish contractual terms with customers. The subcontractor contributes to the completion of project tasks that are primarily allocated to the main contractor (Whelan & George, 80). Correspondence with them must be handled directly by the contracts officer. A common project office should be established to furnish subcontractors adequately and formal channels of communications shall be in place.

A formal document, namely a Statement of Work, shall be prepared, defining the responsibilities of team members and subcontractors. The organizational support functions shall provide assistance in aspects of quality control, training needs of members, and information technology. A master schedule shall be prepared that identifies the constraints, significant milestones, and interdependence and linkages between project activities (Public Health Emergency, 2013). How does this structure actually work in the given scenario?

The hierarchy in a given case is irregular, with the project manager leading the project followed by an assistant project manager who chairs the steering committee. Managers, of those functional divisions whose resources are being absorbed in project activities, are members of the committee. The project manager manages all matters and communications directly with the subcontractor. However, the assistant project manager is responsible for handling matters related to prime contractors. A general project office has been established to provide supporting activities of the project, while an independent contracts officer is hired who coordinates and bridges the gaps between the project team, functional divisions, and the project customer.

Moreover, he also ensures that concrete contractual arrangements are established for all services and duly signed agreements are created and documented. Can the project manager be from a military background? Armed forces have a highly formalized environment, with stringent deadlines and steadfast policies and procedures. Various projects are ongoing in military forces and soldiers holding influential positions are responsible for the execution of these projects. As a result, some of them have strong and effective project management experience and skills which make veterans a natural fit for leading non-military projects as well.

Advantages and disadvantages of this structure Advantages: Involvement of managers of functional division in the steering committee is highly effective since their specialized knowledge and experience can come in handy for making decisions about the project. The presence of an independent contracts officer shall ensure compliance with contractual obligations, efficient coordination, and collaboration of efforts to achieve project goals.