Certified Professional in Talent Development (CPTD) Practice Exam

What is an example of functional authority in an organization?

1. A sales manager setting team goals

2. A project manager leading a team

3. A quality control manager auditing different departments

4. A marketing head developing campaigns

The correct answer is: A quality control manager auditing different departments

Functional authority refers to the power granted to an individual to enforce specific policies, procedures, or standards across different departments or areas within an organization, without necessarily being in a direct line of authority over those departments. In the example of a quality control manager auditing different departments, this individual possesses functional authority as they conduct evaluations and ensure compliance with quality standards across various functions of the organization. This role typically requires collaboration and influence rather than direct control, as the quality control manager may not have supervisory authority over the other departments but still holds the responsibility to ensure that quality standards are upheld throughout the organization. In the other scenarios, while the individuals have leadership roles, they primarily exercise authority confined within their respective functions or teams. For instance, a sales manager may set team goals but does so for their specific sales team and does not have the broader responsibility across multiple departments. Similarly, a project manager leads a team focused on specific projects without overarching authority in other areas. A marketing head developing campaigns operates within the marketing domain and focuses on marketing initiatives, lacking the cross-functional oversight characteristic of functional authority. Thus, the quality control manager exemplifies functional authority through their auditing function across departments.