What best defines a Task Force in organizational design?

• A. A cross-functional group assembled to address a specific coordination need, such as developing a new product.
• B. A permanent committee within a single department handling routine tasks.
• C. An individual assigned full control over a project.
• D. A hierarchical body that reports directly to the CEO.

Answer: (A)

A task force is a temporary, cross-functional group formed to tackle a specific coordination need, bringing together people from multiple parts of the organization to pool diverse expertise and move quickly toward a defined objective—an example being the development of a new product. Once the goal is reached, the group disbands, which sets it apart from ongoing, department-only committees that handle routine tasks. It also differs from assigning one person full control over a project, which concentrates authority, and from a hierarchical body that reports to the CEO, which is about governance rather than a targeted, cross-functional effort.