Debra Howard Consulting

Cross-Functional (Matrix) Optimization

Playing Nice

For many organizations, breaking down silos and increasing cross-functional collaboration is more than a popular idea—it’s imperative to their mission and survival.

Some companies have been running at least a partial matrix for years, but are either in denial about it, or frustrated that it hasn’t worked as advertised. Instead of more collaboration, they see more conflict and competition among managers, and more confusion about who’s in charge. Others with traditional command-and-control org charts know they need to restructure to work in a more nimble, integrated way, but worry about losing their best people if they don’t do it right. Either way, we can show you how to make a new matrix work, or how to make your existing structure work better, while retaining the people and culture you value.

What we do:

  • conduct an organizational assessment to see what’s working, what’s not, and why
  • convene groups of volunteers to champion, design, and implement the changes needed
  • draft a road map and rules of the road for making the matrix work
  • work with leadership to get the right people in the right roles
  • review the systems and integrative mechanisms already in place, and design new ones, if needed
  • address the aspects of the organization’s culture that do not support integration
  • educate all about how to thrive in the matrix
  • deliver specialized training for matrix managers