One of the challenges that we face at Krasnow is matrix management. Essentially Krasnow is a project-driven sort of place, but our faculty also report to function-driven line managers (also known as deans and department chairs). There are lots of models for matrix management–but they all seem to require a bit of tolerance for ambiguity. Seems to me that this is one of the prices we pay for being an integral research unit of a large university.
On the other hand, our sister stand-alone institutes, have to worry about funding their entire program from endowment and soft money. That’s a recipe for a bit of ambiguity also.
The real key to successful matrix management is a close collaborative relationship between the project managers and function managers on issues related to evaluations and raises.
Jim
Discoverers and Discoveries 