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functionally responsible

English translation: the state of being accountable (or answerable) for a functional group

GLOSSARY ENTRY (DERIVED FROM QUESTION BELOW)
English term or phrase:functionally responsible
Selected answer:the state of being accountable (or answerable) for a functional group
Entered by: zabrowa

09:29 Mar 3, 2011
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Law/Patents - Law: Contract(s)
English term or phrase: functionally responsible
Here's the context directly from the job description for a candidate profile:

Manager of: Functionally responsible for the Technical Engineer

But what does "functionally responsible" mean in this context? Is it different from "managerially responsible"?
zabrowa
Local time: 16:16
the state of being accountable (or answerable) for a functional group
Explanation:
Here is a definition of "functional manager" that I found:

"Functional Manager ("FM")
1. The person responsible for the business and technical management of a functional group.
2. A manager responsible for activities in a specialized department or function (e.g., engineering, manufacturing, marketing).
3. The person you report to within your functional organization. Typically, they are the person that does your performance review. Your project manager may also be your functional manager, but they do not have to be. If your project manager is different from your functional manager, then your organization is probably using matrix management."
See http://www.maxwideman.com/pmglossary/PMG_F03.htm

On a related note, also see this definition:

"Matrix Organization
A combination of the advantages of the pure functional (traditional) structure and the product organizational structure. The project manager has total responsibility and accountability for project success, functional managers provide technical and business assistance to the project manager from outside the project management office."
See http://www.maxwideman.com/pmglossary/PMG_M02.htm#Matrix Mana...

AS far as your other question is concerned, I think that there is generally a difference between "functional responsibility" and "managerial (or administrative) responsibility," though the job may in some cases be performed by the same person:

"Functional responsibility is associated with your roles and responsbilities [sic] and KRA s. For example as a manager, I have the functional responsibility for my team.

Administrative responsibility comes by default or deligation [sic]. For example, when I was working in KPMG Hyderabad, one partner was functionally responsible while another partner had admin responsibility."
See the wider discussion here: http://www.linkedin.com/answers/hiring-human-resources/staff...

Here is yet another real-life example of its meaning and use:
"The ADAG (Criminal Law) has been given functional responsibility over the manner in which the prosecution function is carried out on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He or she is in turn answerable directly to the Deputy Minister and then to the Minister, with respect to the manner in which he or she exercises that functional responsibility.4

On the other hand, the Senior Regional Director remains responsible, at the local level, for the manner in which the prosecution function is carried out by counsel under his or her supervisory or managerial control."
See http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/dept-min/pub/fps-sfp/fpd/ch06.h...
:)
Selected response from:

Derek Gill Franßen
Germany
Local time: 16:16
Grading comment
Thanks vor the very thorough explanation!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
2 +2the state of being accountable (or answerable) for a functional group
Derek Gill Franßen


Discussion entries: 2





  

Answers


5 hrs   confidence: Answerer confidence 2/5Answerer confidence 2/5 peer agreement (net): +2
the state of being accountable (or answerable) for a functional group


Explanation:
Here is a definition of "functional manager" that I found:

"Functional Manager ("FM")
1. The person responsible for the business and technical management of a functional group.
2. A manager responsible for activities in a specialized department or function (e.g., engineering, manufacturing, marketing).
3. The person you report to within your functional organization. Typically, they are the person that does your performance review. Your project manager may also be your functional manager, but they do not have to be. If your project manager is different from your functional manager, then your organization is probably using matrix management."
See http://www.maxwideman.com/pmglossary/PMG_F03.htm

On a related note, also see this definition:

"Matrix Organization
A combination of the advantages of the pure functional (traditional) structure and the product organizational structure. The project manager has total responsibility and accountability for project success, functional managers provide technical and business assistance to the project manager from outside the project management office."
See http://www.maxwideman.com/pmglossary/PMG_M02.htm#Matrix Mana...

AS far as your other question is concerned, I think that there is generally a difference between "functional responsibility" and "managerial (or administrative) responsibility," though the job may in some cases be performed by the same person:

"Functional responsibility is associated with your roles and responsbilities [sic] and KRA s. For example as a manager, I have the functional responsibility for my team.

Administrative responsibility comes by default or deligation [sic]. For example, when I was working in KPMG Hyderabad, one partner was functionally responsible while another partner had admin responsibility."
See the wider discussion here: http://www.linkedin.com/answers/hiring-human-resources/staff...

Here is yet another real-life example of its meaning and use:
"The ADAG (Criminal Law) has been given functional responsibility over the manner in which the prosecution function is carried out on behalf of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. He or she is in turn answerable directly to the Deputy Minister and then to the Minister, with respect to the manner in which he or she exercises that functional responsibility.4

On the other hand, the Senior Regional Director remains responsible, at the local level, for the manner in which the prosecution function is carried out by counsel under his or her supervisory or managerial control."
See http://www.justice.gc.ca/eng/dept-min/pub/fps-sfp/fpd/ch06.h...
:)

Derek Gill Franßen
Germany
Local time: 16:16
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: English
PRO pts in category: 20
Grading comment
Thanks vor the very thorough explanation!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  B D Finch: Is this just another term for "operational management", i.e. a split between line and operational management responsibilities?
7 hrs
  -> It does seem to be that (though I am not entirely sure). Thank you, BD. :)
agree  Phong Le
1 day 14 hrs
  -> Thank you, Phong. :)
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