Peter & Waterman describe organizations with which structure?

• A. Large, long-term teams
• B. Centralized decision making
• C. Small teams formed for a short time with specific goals
• D. Strict hierarchical structure

Answer: (C)

Peters and Waterman portray excellent organizations as built from many small, semi-autonomous teams that are formed for a specific purpose and given a limited lifespan. This structure concentrates effort on clear, time-bound goals, enabling rapid action and flexible response to changing needs. By keeping teams compact and task-focused, decision-making stays close to where the work happens, reducing bureaucratic delay and encouraging entrepreneurship and accountability. In this view, large, long-term teams or rigid, centralized hierarchies slow things down and stifle initiative, while a network of short-lived, goal-driven teams keeps the organization agile and focused on delivering results.