Matrix working in Whitehall
Matrix management is very fashionable in the business world – although far from easy to achieve effectively. But the concept seems to be growing in popularity in the political world.
Take, for instance, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (snappy title that) which I deal with most because of my involvement in consumer affairs (notice that the Departmental title does not mention the consumer).
Four of the five junior ministers in BERR exercise their responsibilities jointly with another Government Department – see details here.
November 3rd, 2008 at 12:22 pm
The thought of politicians in a matrix fills me with dismay. I am a trainer and thinker in the field of matrix management and I can see few politicians having the skills, focus or cooperative skills to make it work.
I fear their main impact will be to use the matrix structure as a convenient scapegoat for poor management.