Working in a Matrix-Based Organization

A.

In a matrix-based organization, employees are assigned to both a functional manager and a project manager, resulting in a dual reporting structure. The project manager and functional manager share authority and control over the employees' time and tasks.

Out of the given options, the answer that indicates a project manager is working in a matrix-based organization is option C - Resources align to the project, report to the project manager, and have no functional home at the end of the project.

In this scenario, the project manager has some level of authority over the project and the resources assigned to it, but not full authority as in option A. Also, the resources assigned to the project have no functional home at the end of the project, meaning that they do not have a permanent home department to return to after the completion of the project. This indicates that they are part of a project team under the project manager's direction rather than under a specific functional manager's control.

Option B, where the project manager has no authority over the project resources and limited-to-no authority over the project, does not indicate a matrix-based organization because the project manager's lack of authority over the resources contradicts the shared authority in a matrix-based structure.

Option D, where resources report to business area functional managers and return to the functional area at the end of the project, indicates a functional organizational structure rather than a matrix-based structure because resources return to their functional area at the end of the project, indicating that they are under the functional manager's authority rather than the project manager's.