{"id":20831,"date":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2013-03-12T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/global2020prd.wpengine.com\/insights\/did-ed-dismantle-the-matrix\/"},"modified":"2025-12-08T16:04:11","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:04:11","slug":"did-ed-dismantle-the-matrix","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.global-integration.com\/insights\/did-ed-dismantle-the-matrix\/","title":{"rendered":"Did Ed dismantle the matrix?"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"hand<\/a>I read a recent article on Ed Whitacre and his time at\u00a0 AT&T Inc. and General Motors Co., described as \u201cgiants that would not be what they are today had he not been their CEO.\u201d<\/p>\n

According to the article:<\/p>\n

\u201cHis biggest task at GM was tearing down the “matrix management” system that basically skirted accountability. Whitacre restored a traditional corporate structure, with clear reporting lines, and strengthened the relationships between senior management and rank-and-file workers, including the union.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

It\u2019s quite common to blame the matrix for a lack of accountability but the structure doesn’t cause this, it’s the way we operate within it that causes problems. With complex products such as cars, how can there be one single person who’s accountable for everything unless they are at such a senior level that accountability becomes quite divorced from day to day activity.<\/p>\n

At some level, of course, the CEO is accountable for everything but unless they are a terrible micromanager, they can\u2019t possibly be supervising the detail. We need to have complex webs of accountability with clarity for our own role within that, but also a feeling of engagement with the overall success of the project.<\/p>\n

Too often accountability is something that happens retrospectively after a problem. Too often it’s a search for blame rather than a reason to celebrating success.<\/p>\n

So did Ed really dismantle the matrix? If we take a look at the executive officers of GM today we find reporting to the chairman and CEO<\/p>\n