2. Summary of Case Study
Moss and McAdams (M&M) was a well established regional accounting firm, whose primary
services were corporate audits and tax preparation. Over the last two years, the partners decide to
move more aggressively into the consulting business. Ruby Sands, the official manager for
assigning personnel to different accounts. In this case, M&M operates within a matrix structure.
Here Bruce Palmer who handles the Auditing section and Ken Crosby handling the consulting
profiles have an issue over Zeke Olds wherein both of them want have Olds in their respective
teams. They agree to work out a compromise and have Olds split time across both projects. Later
on they have issues as Olds wasn’t able to distribute his time properly among the two profiles and
he tends to give more time to the consulting profiles, partially due to his own interest and due to
Crosby. On discussion Sands decides to allocate Olds to consulting firm.
3. Q 1. If you were
Palmer at the end of
the case, how would
you respond ?
If I were Palmer, I would first follow our superior's
decision and then respect his feelings about the project.
Later on, Zeke Olds was assigned, but he is struggling
with two projects at the same time, which is a problem
for everyone. And I agree with Sands' assessment of
the personnel assigned to my project.
4. Q 2. What, if anything,
could Palmer have
done to avoid using
Olds ?
To avoid using Olds, Palmer could have done the
following things :-
He could have ensured that the shift rotation
system was strictly followed. There would have
been no problems if the rotation shifts had been
strictly followed. This would have resulted in faster
progress on both project.
He should have attended weekend review
meetings. During these meetings, they would go
over the entire week's work. This meeting would
have guaranteed that Olds was doing Palmer's
works too in time as he would be required to submit
a report every week.
He could have implemented a new system in
which they asked Olds to come in on alternate days
to work on two profiles. On one day, he could have
worked on one profile, and the next day, he could
have worked on the other. This would have
ensured that both profiles received adequate
attention and time.
5. Q 3. What advantages and disadvantages of a matrix
type organization are appeared from this case ?
Advantages
Efficient resource allocation: Resources
can be shared across multiple projects.
Strong project focus: Having formally
designed project manager who focuses
always on his or her project.
Easier post project transition: Since it
works partly on functional division they can
return back once the project is done.
Opportunity assessment: It evaluates an
individual's skills and knowledge in
different divisions, which makes it easier
further to assign the best person at best
place.
Disadvantages
Dysfunctional conflict: Conflicts between
functional manager in sharing resources,
work could be delayed and focuses maybe
changed time to time, because everyone
want the best to do their project.
Stress: Project participants may have two
bosses, therefore two different commands.
Inefficiency: Some projects may get
bogged down in decision making.
Work-Life imbalance: Failed to prioritize
between "work" (career and ambition) and
"lifestyle" (health, family and self
development).
6. Q 4. What could the
management at M&M
do to more effectively
manage situations
like this ?
Managing this type of situation from M&M requires appointing
more employees who can work efficiently, as well as
monitoring what is actually happening in the organization,
because management must be aware of everything that is
going on in the company and the project.
7. Thank you
By,
Adarsh Krishnan V - AM.BU.P2MBA22005
Akhil Krishnan - AM.BU.P2MBA22009
Arun - AM.BU.P2MBA22020
Darshan Murlidharan - AM.BU.P2MBA22029
Sarath M - AM.BU.P2MBA22061
