organization chart

(noun)

A graphic display of reporting relationships, which sometimes displays position titles and position holders.

Related Terms

  • Levels of management
  • systems thinking

Examples of organization chart in the following topics:

  • The Organizational Chart

    • An organization chart is a diagram that illustrates the structure of an organization.
    • An organization chart (sometimes called an organizational chart, an org chart, or an organogram) is a diagram that illustrates the structure of an organization, the relationships and relative ranks of its business units/divisions, and the positions or roles assigned to each unit/division.
    • When an organization chart grows too large, it can be split into smaller charts that show only individual departments within the organization.
    • Prior to applying for a job or beginning work with an organization, a prospective employee should procure a copy of the organization chart.
    • Compare the various types of organization charts that describe company structures
  • Divisional Structure

    • Organizations can be structured in various ways, with each structure determining the manner in which the organization operates and performs.
    • A divisional organization groups each organizational function into a division.
    • Each division within this structure can correspond to either products or geographies of the organization.
    • The whole organization is ultimately controlled by central management; however, most decisions are left to autonomous divisions.
    • The DOE organization chart shows a divisional structure with different divisions under each of three under-secretaries for energy.
  • Flattening Hierarchies

    • Flattening hierarchies can benefit smaller organizations by increasing employee empowerment, participation, and efficiency.
    • An example of this would be two colleagues who each report to a common superior but have the same relative amount of authority in the organization.
    • This type of structure generally works best in smaller organizations or individual units within larger organizations.
    • Flat organizations are difficult to maintain as companies grow larger and more complex.
    • Some theorize that flat organizations become more traditionally hierarchical when they gear themselves more toward productivity.
  • Top-Level Management

    • Top-level managers work at the top of organizations and guide strategy and planning.
    • Top-level managers are responsible for controlling and overseeing the entire organization.
    • Top management, as noted above, is often functionally centered: each top manager tends to focus on a single area of the organization (excepting the CEO, who views the organization holistically).
    • He or she looks carefully at how the organization is perceived and what the average consumer wants and expects.
    • This organizational chart shows the top-level manager for a company.
  • Basic Types of Organizations

    • Most organizations fall into one of four types: pyramids/hierarchies, committees/juries, matrix organizations, and ecologies.
    • An organization is a social entity with collective goals that is linked to an external environment.
    • An organization using a pyramid or hierarchy structure has a leader who is responsible for and makes all the decisions affecting the organization.
    • Matrix organizations may be further categorized as one of the following types:
    • This organizational chart of the Iraqi Special Security Organization illustrates a hierarchy.
  • CPM and PERT Charts

    • CPM and PERT are charts used to determine the sequence and maximum and minimum timing of activities in a project.
    • PERT charts are more simplistic than CPM charts because they simply show the timing of each step of the project and the sequence of steps.
    • Standard CPM charts are more complex than PERT charts because they illustrate the sequence of steps and place a diagram around each step that shows the earliest and latest possible time that each task in the project can be completed.
    • This helps project managers organize tasks and ensure that time is managed appropriately at each stage of the project.
    • A CPM chart is similar to a PERT chart but includes more detail about the latest and earliest possible times at which each stage of the project must be completed.
  • Decentralizing Responsibility

    • In decentralized structures, responsibility for decision making is broadly dispersed down to the lower levels of an organization.
    • In a centralized organization, decisions are made by top executives on the basis of current policies.
    • This type of structure tends to be seen in organizations that run on less rigid policies and wider spans of control among each officer of the organization.
    • Decentralized organizations must be mindful of the possibility of running in too many different directions at once.
    • This image illustrates a decentralized (often referred to as a "flat") organizational chart.
  • Quantitative and Analytical Management Tools

    • Using these tools to create quantitative and measurable metrics helps an organization see exactly where it is performing well and where it is performing poorly.
    • Trend charts are often used to display data over time to explore any potential trends (either positive or negative) that require additional attention by management.
    • Many metrics are analyzed using trend charts, including employee productivity, financial metrics, operational efficiency, and comparisons between competitors.
    • A trend chart shows changes in spending, prices, efficiency, or any other metric that management is interested in analyzing over time.
    • Give examples of quantitative and analytical management tools that assist organizations in better understanding workflow, financials and employee efficiency
  • Gantt Charts

    • A Gantt chart is a type of bar chart developed by Henry Gantt to illustrate a project schedule.
    • Gantt charts show the start and finish dates of the terminal and summary elements of a project.
    • Gantt charts can also show the completion rate of project steps that are currently underway.
    • Larger Gantt charts may not be suitable for most computer displays.
    • Because Gantt charts focus primarily on schedule management, they represent only one of the triple constraints for project management (cost, time, and scope–Gantt charts show only time).
  • Functional Structure

    • An organization with a functional structure is divided based on functional areas, such as IT, finance, or marketing.
    • An organization can be arranged according to a variety of structures, which determine how the organization will operate and perform.
    • Functional structures may also be susceptible to tunnel vision, with each function perceiving the organization only from within the frame of its own operation.
    • Functional structures appear in a variety of organizations across many industries.
    • This organizational chart shows a broad functional structure at FedEx.
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