Identify the salient feature of a functional organisation structure in construction management.

Introduction / Context:
Functional organisation groups staff by specialty (planning, design, quality, procurement), enabling expertise-driven decision making. This question probes recognition of the key characteristics and advantages associated with functional structures.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are to identify the salient feature(s) of the functional form.
• Options include adherence to specifications, separation of planning/design, functional efficiency, and proper distribution of work.
• Functional structures emphasize specialization and standardization.

Concept / Approach:
By clustering experts under functional heads, organizations reinforce technical standards, facilitate planning/design separation, and streamline workload distribution, thereby improving specification compliance and individual functional performance.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Match features of functional structures to options.Step 2: Specialization promotes strict specification adherence and functional efficiency.Step 3: Dedicated planning/design units imply clear separation and better workload distribution.Step 4: Therefore, all listed features apply.

Verification / Alternative check:
Organisational theory references consistently attribute these benefits to functional structures, especially in engineering contexts.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Picking any single feature ignores the holistic benefits of functional design.
• Only “all the above.” captures the full set of salient features.

Common Pitfalls:
Confusing functional with line or matrix structures; assuming specialization reduces collaboration (the issue is mitigated by coordination mechanisms).

Final Answer:
all the above.