Organizational chart
Encyclopedia
An organizational chart (often called organization chart, org chart, organigram(me), or organogram(me)) is a diagram that shows the structure
of an organization
and the relationships and relative ranks of its parts and positions/jobs. The term is also used for similar diagrams, for example ones showing the different elements of a field of knowledge or a group of languages.
The French Encyclopédie
published in France between 1751 and 1772 had one of the first organizational charts of knowledge in general. The Scottish-American engineer Daniel McCallum
(1815–1878) is credited for creating the first organizational charts of American business around 1854 .
In many large companies the organization chart can be large and incredibly complicated and is therefore sometimes dissected into smaller charts for each individual department within the organization.
There are three different types of organization charts:
The following is an example of a simple hierarchical organizational chart is the image-chart on the right.
An example of a 'line relationship' (or chain of command
in military relationships) in this chart would be between the Manager and the two Supervisor
s. These two colonels are directly responsible to the general.
An example of a 'lateral relationship' in this chart would be between "Foreman
A", and "Foreman B" who both work on level and both report to the "Workers A".
Various shapes such as rectangles, squares, triangles, circles etc. can be used to indicate different roles. Colour can be used both for shape borders and connection lines to indicate differences in authority and responsibility, and possibly formal, advisory and informal links between people. A department or position yet to be created or currently vacant might be shown as a shape with a dotted outline. Importance of the position may be shown both with a change in size of the shape in addition to its vertical placement on the chart.
Organizational structure
An organizational structure consists of activities such as task allocation, coordination and supervision, which are directed towards the achievement of organizational aims. It can also be considered as the viewing glass or perspective through which individuals see their organization and its...
of an organization
Organization
An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. The word itself is derived from the Greek word organon, itself derived from the better-known word ergon - as we know `organ` - and it means a compartment for a particular job.There are a variety of legal types of...
and the relationships and relative ranks of its parts and positions/jobs. The term is also used for similar diagrams, for example ones showing the different elements of a field of knowledge or a group of languages.
The French Encyclopédie
Encyclopédie
Encyclopédie, ou dictionnaire raisonné des sciences, des arts et des métiers was a general encyclopedia published in France between 1751 and 1772, with later supplements, revised editions, and translations. It was edited by Denis Diderot and Jean le Rond d'Alembert...
published in France between 1751 and 1772 had one of the first organizational charts of knowledge in general. The Scottish-American engineer Daniel McCallum
Daniel McCallum
Daniel Craig McCallum was a railroad engineer and manager.McCallum was born in Scotland in 1815. In 1822 his family emigrated to New York when he was still a boy. In Rochester he spend a few years at elementary school, and didn't follow his fathers footsteps to become a tailor...
(1815–1878) is credited for creating the first organizational charts of American business around 1854 .
Overview
An organizational chart of a company usually shows the managers and sub-workers who make up an organization. It also shows the relationships between directors : managing director chief executive officer: various departments...In many large companies the organization chart can be large and incredibly complicated and is therefore sometimes dissected into smaller charts for each individual department within the organization.
There are three different types of organization charts:
- HierarchicalHierarchical organizationA hierarchical organization is an organizational structure where every entity in the organization, except one, is subordinate to a single other entity. This arrangement is a form of a hierarchy. In an organization, the hierarchy usually consists of a singular/group of power at the top with...
- MatrixMatrix managementMatrix management is a type of organizational management in which people with similar skills are pooled for work assignments. For example, all engineers may be in one engineering department and report to an engineering manager, but these same engineers may be assigned to different projects and...
- FlatFlat organizationFlat organization refers to an organizational structure with few or no levels of intervening management between staff and managers...
(also known as Horizontal)
Limitations
There are several limitations of organizational charts:- If updated manually, organizational charts can very quickly become out-of-date, especially in large organizations that change their staff regularly.
- They only show 'formal relationships' and tell nothing of the pattern of human (social) relationships which develop. They also often do not show horizontal relationships.
- They provide little information about the managerial style adopted (e.g. 'autocratic', 'democratic' or an intermediate style)
- In some cases, an organigraphOrganigraphAn organigraph is a graphical representation of a company's structure or processes. It is used as an alternative to a traditional organizational chart as it does not imply the same degree of linear hierarchy that an organizational chart does....
may be more appropriate, particularly if one wants to show non-linear, non-hierarchical relationships in an organization.
- It often does not include customers.
Examples
An example of a 'line relationship' (or chain of command
Chain of Command
Chain of Command may refer to:* Chain of command, in a military context, the line of authority and responsibility along which orders are passed* "Chain of Command" , the fifth episode of the first season of Beast Wars...
in military relationships) in this chart would be between the Manager and the two Supervisor
Supervisor
A supervisor, foreperson, team leader, overseer, cell coach, facilitator, or area coordinator is a manager in a position of trust in business...
s. These two colonels are directly responsible to the general.
An example of a 'lateral relationship' in this chart would be between "Foreman
Foreman
Foreman may refer to:* Construction foreman, the worker or tradesman who is in charge of the construction crew* Foreman of Signals, the most highly qualified non-commissioned signal equipment managers and Incorporated Engineers in the Royal Corps of Signals...
A", and "Foreman B" who both work on level and both report to the "Workers A".
Various shapes such as rectangles, squares, triangles, circles etc. can be used to indicate different roles. Colour can be used both for shape borders and connection lines to indicate differences in authority and responsibility, and possibly formal, advisory and informal links between people. A department or position yet to be created or currently vacant might be shown as a shape with a dotted outline. Importance of the position may be shown both with a change in size of the shape in addition to its vertical placement on the chart.