Possible Businesses Handout
Unit 3 • Activity 2 Resource
Possible Businesses for Unit 3 Activity 2
Company Dossiers for Steps 2 & 3: Research, Structure Analysis, and Comparative Evaluation
Activity Task Compare 2 Structures
Student:
Date:
Period:
My 2 Selected Companies:
Step 1 Reference • All 9 Organizational Structures Defined
Unit reference guide to support Steps 2, 3, and 4 offline
Functional: Workers grouped by specialized departmental roles (Marketing, Finance, HR, Sales).
Hierarchical: Vertical chain of command; authority and decisions flow downward through tiers.
Flat (Horizontal): Few or no middle managers; high employee autonomy, direct peer collaboration.
Divisional: Autonomous units divided by geographic territory, customer demographic, or market.
Product-Based: Divisional setup where dedicated teams manage a specific product line end-to-end.
Matrix: Dual-reporting model; staff report to both a functional lead and a project manager.
Team-Based: Cross-functional, collaborative squads given collective ownership over goals.
Project-Based: Temporary task forces assembled for specific client contracts, disbanding after delivery.
Process-Based: Organized around the chronological workflow stages (e.g., R&D → Assembly → Delivery).
1
Valve Corporation
Video Game Development & Digital Distribution (Steam Platform)
Flat / Self-Organizing Structure
How the Structure Operates
Valve has no middle managers or formal titles. Desks are on wheels; developers roll workstations toward projects they find compelling. Initiatives form organically through peer recruitment rather than executive orders. Compensation is decided by anonymous peer reviews.
Why It Fits This Business
Creativity and rapid software experimentation drive Valve's value. Bureaucratic approvals would stifle game innovation. Empowering senior programmers and artists to direct their own work keeps engagement high and attracts elite technical talent.
Draw Your Conclusions (For Step 2 Notes & Step 3 Comparison):
- Decision-Making & Deadlines: When no single boss holds authority, how are disagreements over product deadlines or resource allocation settled?
- Operational Blindspot: What essential but unglamorous tasks (e.g., bug fixes, customer service) might suffer when staff only pick favorite projects?
2
Walmart Inc.
Mass Retail, Supercenters & Global Supply Chain Operations
Hierarchical / Functional Structure
How the Structure Operates
Walmart uses a deep pyramid chain of command. Executives set standardized policies that flow downward through Regional VPs, Market Managers, Store Managers, Team Leads, and hourly Associates. Key functional branches (Logistics, Merchandising, HR) maintain centralized control.
Why It Fits This Business
Operating 10,500 stores with 2.1 million workers on razor-thin profit margins requires ironclad inventory control, loss prevention, and logistical precision. Clear tiers of command ensure uniform pricing, safety, and operational standards across all locations.
Draw Your Conclusions (For Step 2 Notes & Step 3 Comparison):
- Decision Speed & Local Adaptation: How quickly can a local store manager adapt to unique community trends if corporate approval is required?
- Communication Flow: What happens to frontline worker feedback and morale when multiple management layers separate workers from leadership?
Unit 3 Activity 2 • Business Selection Dossier Turn over for Company 3 (P&G), Company 4 (Lockheed Martin) & Step 3 Matrix Page 1 of 2
Unit 3 Activity 2 • Case Studies & Comparison
Additional Company Dossiers & Step 3 Analysis Matrix
Offline Student Research Packet
3
Procter & Gamble (P&G)
Consumer Packaged Goods (Tide, Pampers, Gillette, Oral-B, Crest)
Divisional (Product-Based) Structure
How the Structure Operates
P&G is organized into distinct Global Business Units (GBUs) by product family: Baby Care, Grooming, Fabric Care, and Health Care. Each division operates almost like an independent company, controlling its own R&D, product branding, marketing campaigns, and profit targets.
Why It Fits This Business
Marketing baby diapers requires radically different retail channels and consumer research than selling shavers or dental care. Divisional independence prevents corporate bottlenecks and lets each unit respond quickly to retail competitors in its specific aisle.
Draw Your Conclusions (For Step 2 Notes & Step 3 Comparison):
- Cost Efficiency: Does having separate marketing, HR, and research teams for each product line create expensive duplicate efforts?
- Internal Rivalry: How might autonomous divisions end up competing against one another for overall corporate investment dollars?
4
Lockheed Martin (Skunk Works / Aeronautics)
Defense Contracting, Aerospace Engineering & Advanced Systems
Matrix (Dual-Reporting) Structure
How the Structure Operates
Employees answer to two distinct bosses. An aerospace engineer belongs permanently to a Functional Department (e.g., Propulsion or Avionics) while simultaneously being assigned day-to-day to a Project Mission (e.g., F-35 Fighter Jet or Satellite Program) headed by a Project Lead.
Why It Fits This Business
High-tech defense systems are too complex for isolated departments, yet multi-year government contracts require strict milestone and budget tracking. The matrix allows technical talent to be shared across contracts without lowering engineering standards.
Draw Your Conclusions (For Step 2 Notes & Step 3 Comparison):
- Command Conflicts: What happens when the functional boss (demanding technical perfection) and project boss (demanding fast deadlines) clash?
- Workplace Stress: How does navigating dual reporting lines and competing priorities impact employee clarity and day-to-day accountability?
Step 3 Preparation: Structure Comparison Matrix
Use this organizer to draft your presentation or poster
Choose two companies above with different structures. Fill in the comparative criteria below using the facts provided and the conclusions you drew:
Comparison Criteria (Step 3)
Company A: ___________
Company B: ___________
1. Structure Type & Hierarchy Level
2. Decision-Making Speed vs. Central Control
3. Primary Direction of Information Flow
4. Key Operational Strength for Their Industry
5. Primary Vulnerability or Inefficiency
Deliverable Tip: Comparing reporting chains visually will help earn full rubric credit on format. Looking ahead to Step 4: Keep these structures in mind when recommending a setup for Random Acts of Coffee (RAC)!
Unit 3 Activity 2 • Business Selection Dossier Complete Steps 2 & 3 deliverable using this research Page 2 of 2
