Original Date: 09/15/1997
Revision Date: 01/18/2007

As a result of downsizing and mission changes, the Ammunition Equipment Directorate (AED) implemented Project Matrix Management as a way of conducting business for current and future workloads. Previously, the Directorate had seven divisions with 90 employees. Its mission was to design, test, and field ammunition production equipment. The current focus of the Directorate is on demilitarization equipment. Since the change in mission, the Directorate consolidated into four divisions with 70 employees.

Division chiefs now assign project managers to all incoming work. Project managers then select team members where possible. The key point is that matrix management is project-driven, not organizationally-driven. The benefits are both near-term and long-term.

Near-term benefits include increased cross training of Directorate personnel, increased flexibility in assigning Directorate personnel, and a significant increase in synergy between employees. A long-term benefit is increased empowerment of employees. This strengthens accountability to both the project and to fellow employees. Additionally, future rewards will be based on group (project) performance.

For more information see the Point of Contact for this survey.