Which structure creates project teams across departments to achieve specific tasks?

The matrix/project-based structure is designed specifically to facilitate collaboration across different departments by creating project teams that focus solely on specific tasks or projects. This structure enables organizations to efficiently allocate resources and expertise from various functional areas, allowing for greater flexibility and responsiveness to project needs.

In a matrix structure, team members maintain their functional roles while also being assigned to project teams, fostering cross-functional collaboration. This dual reporting relationship encourages communication and knowledge sharing, which can lead to more innovative solutions and improved project outcomes. By bringing together diverse skill sets and perspectives from different departments, organizations can leverage the collective strengths of their workforce to achieve project objectives effectively.

In contrast, a function-based structure organizes employees based on their specialized roles within departments and does not inherently support the cross-departmental teamwork that is essential for project-focused tasks. The tall organizational structure is characterized by many layers of management, which can hinder communication and agility. An autocratic structure emphasizes centralized decision-making, limiting input from team members and reducing collaborative efforts that a matrix structure promotes.