Lesson Plan

• Describe how business objectives determine the most appropriate organisational structure.
• Explain the advantages of functional, divisional, matrix and flat structures for specific objectives.
• Analyse a case study to match objectives with a suitable structure and identify potential pitfalls.
• Evaluate the impact of mis‑alignment between objectives and structure on performance.

• Projector and screen
• PowerPoint slides summarising key concepts
• Handout of objective‑structure table
• Case‑study worksheet (electronics manufacturer)
• Whiteboard and markers
• Sticky notes for group matching activity

Begin with a quick poll: “What happens when a company’s structure doesn’t support its goals?” Connect responses to prior lessons on organisational structures. Explain that today’s success criteria are to identify the right structure for a given objective and justify the choice.

1. Do‑now (5’): Students list the main objectives of a well‑known business on sticky notes.
2. Mini‑lecture (10’): Review key concepts – objectives, structures, and the fit between them.
3. Matching activity (15’): In groups, use the handout to match objectives to the most suitable structure, recording reasons on the worksheet.
4. Case‑study analysis (15’): Work through the electronics manufacturer example, discuss benefits and challenges of moving to a matrix structure.
5. Whole‑class debrief (10’): Summarise advantages, pitfalls and the importance of regular review.
6. Exam practice (5’): Individually answer the provided exam‑style question on international expansion.

Recap the central idea that objectives dictate structure and that alignment creates competitive advantage. For the exit ticket, each student writes one business objective and the structure they would recommend. Homework: research a real company, describe its current structure and explain how it supports (or hinders) its primary objectives.