---
id: "prereq-matrix-organizations"
type: "prereq"
source_timestamps: ["¶4", "§ Mistake 2"]
tags: ["org-design"]
related: ["claim-broad-goals-cause-conflict", "concept-goal-disentanglement"]
reason: "Understanding why RACI conflicts arise requires knowing how matrix structures blur traditional lines of authority."
sources: ["governance"]
sourceVaultSlug: "hbr-seg-governance"
originDay: 7
articleStem: "hbr-sig-48-decision-rights"
sourceUrl: "https://hbr.org/2026/07/what-companies-get-wrong-about-decision-rights"
sourceTitle: "What Companies Get Wrong About Decision Rights"
---
# Matrixed Organizational Structures

The article assumes familiarity with **matrixed, cross-functional organizations** where employees often report to multiple managers (e.g., functional *and* regional). This structure is precisely why decision rights become contested.

**Why you need it:** understanding why RACI conflicts arise ([[claim-broad-goals-cause-conflict]], [[concept-goal-disentanglement]]) requires knowing how matrix structures blur traditional lines of authority.

*Enrichment:* connects to matrix-org design literature (Galbraith's Star Model) on role ambiguity and goal conflict in multi-boss organizations.