• Course Introduction

        • Time: 4 hours
        • Free Certificate
        One of management's most important responsibilities is to ensure a strong organizational structure. In this course, you will explore in more detail the various aspects of organizational structure, including what happens when a structure changes and how traditional management practices are making way for more modern approaches.

        • Course Syllabus

          First, read the course syllabus. Then, enroll in the course by clicking "Enroll me". Click Unit 1 to read its introduction and learning outcomes. You will then see the learning materials and instructions on how to use them.

        • Unit 1: Organizational Structure and Management Principles

          For a company to be effective and profitable, a strong organizational structure must be in place. This structure provides a framework from which all goals are set and helps individuals and departments know where they fit within the company's organization. This unit will discuss the various approaches to organizational structure from hierarchy, centralization, departmentalization, and formalization to less traditional matrix, boundaryless, and learning organizational structures.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours. 

        • Unit 2: Managing Organizational Structure and Change

          Businesses do not operate in a vacuum, just because an organizational structure works today, does not mean it will work indefinitely. Businesses must constantly be on the lookout for opportunities or threats that may affect the success of their organization’s structure and how it may need to change. Such change can occur due to new developments in the marketplace, competitive factors, and/or the development of new theories of management. This unit will also delve into the best ways to initiate organizational changes.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour. 

        • Unit 3: Management in the Future

          Not only does the organizational structure need to keep up with changes in the business environment, management practices must also evolve to encompass changes in best practices.  This unit will discuss the future of management including what parts of traditional management should be kept and why modern approaches to management are necessary.

          Completing this unit should take you approximately 1 hour. 

        • Course Feedback Survey

          Please take a few minutes to give us feedback about this course. We appreciate your feedback, whether you completed the whole course or even just a few resources. Your feedback will help us make our courses better, and we use your feedback each time we make updates to our courses.

          If you come across any urgent problems, email contact@saylor.org.

        • Certificate Final Exam

          Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.

          To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt.

          Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate.