Project strategy: Selecting the best project structure

Abstract

This paper describes a proposed methodology for research into determining if there is an appropriate organizational structure to use for a specific project type. Too often organizations use only one particular organizational structure for their projects. Unfortunately one size does not fit all. Form must fit function. Project managers must be able to choose the organizational structure which is appropriate for their project and thus position their project for success. This research will look at the organizational structure employed for various real life projects and will try to determine if distinct patterns of organizational structure are observed for specific project types and whether the organizational structures employed had an effect on project success (i.e., which organizational structures when employed with which project types led to project success and which did not). The researchers believe that choosing an appropriate organizational structure for a specific project type will position a project to be more successful thus enabling that project to create better business results and achieve the competitive advantage and value that the organization envisioned. © 2009 PICMET.