Cross-functional project teams in functionally aligned organizations

In theory, cross-functional teams are the right mechanism to rapidly respond to changing market needs. In practice, most functionally aligned organizations have been less than successful in incorporating crossfunctional project team structures into their hierarchical organizational structure. Through research of publications on similar topics as well as personal experience, I identify characteristics of successful cross-functional project teams and characteristics of typical functionally aligned organizations and show the relationship between them. Areas of concern will be highlighted and recommendations offered for successfully incorporating cross-functional project teams into functionally aligned organizations.