product group

[unpakwon]

Could you explain the following in bold in easy English?

In a sense, the matrix organization frees senior managers to think one dimensionally. Managers at the top of the matrix may be able to focus either on the country, the function, or the product group. The managers in the middle can receive conflicting instructions from the different "legs" of their matrix. They need the information, skills, and authority to manage the tradeoffs. Otherwise, they are in a situation that they cannot resolve and will have to escalate everything back to their bosses.

Does the "product group" refer to "the group of various products", or "group of people spcializing in product development"? And would you find some other words that can replace "legs", and "tradeoffs" in the context?

Thank you.

[Anglika]

Originally Posted by unpakwon

Could you explain the following in bold in easy English?

In a sense, the matrix organization frees senior managers to think one dimensionally. Managers at the top of the matrix may be able to focus either on the country, the function, or the product group. The managers in the middle can receive conflicting instructions from the different "legs" of their matrix. They need the information, skills, and authority to manage the tradeoffs. Otherwise, they are in a situation that they cannot resolve and will have to escalate everything back to their bosses.

Does the "product group" refer to "the group of various products", or "group of people spcializing in product development"? And would you find some other words that can replace "legs", and "tradeoffs" in the context?

Thank you.

I would interpret it as a group of products.

"legs" = managers/participants/members of the matrix team - those to whom you are answerable.
"trade-offs" = bargaining points.

[unpakwon]

I see. Thank you, Anglika.