Everyone's almost familiar with organizational charts. Different companies and institutions basically use them to have a clearer picture of the overall management composition of an organization.
What is an Organizational Chart?
In its simplest form, an organization chart is a visual illustration that helps leaders and managers get a clear glimpse of relationships between each member and their designations. In most cases, leaders use an organizational chart template which can be a customizable document allowing you to construct an organizational chart using a predefined framework. The template generally uses shapes and arrows to accurately specify the relationships of organization members, like sales managers reporting to the VP of sales.
Types of Organizational Charts
Hierarchical organizational chart
This organizational chart template is the most commonly used structure across businesses and institutions. It's a pyramid-shaped framework where the chain of command can be seen at the top of the chart, like a manager or the CEO. Also, members are grouped with others under the same supervisor. Usually, these members are grouped based on their functions and responsibilities.
Flat organizational chart
Some industries call this the horizontal chart. This diagram is generally useful for organizations having a few levels between the staff-level employees and upper management. This chart usually comprises one manager and various employees with a few divisional reports. Start-up companies use this flat organizational chart template before they expand further to different departments. Furthermore, larger products can benefit from this structure, where most members have equal responsibility.
Matrix organizational chart
The matrix organization chart template looks like a grid showing the cross-functional groups created for special projects. Its purpose is to ensure better communication between teams and avoid frequent realignments. For example, an engineer might be part of the engineering department but can also participate in special or temporary projects. Therefore, they will work under multiple managers.
8 Organizational Chart Templates & Examples
Organizational diagrams are vital in visualizing the structure and hierarchy of an organization or system. They provide a clear and concise representation of how different components interact with each other and the overall flow of information. Here are 8 different organizational chart templates and examples, each showcasing a unique aspect of organizational structure and design.
1. School Principal Organizational Chart
The School Principal Organizational Chart is a hierarchical representation of the roles and responsibilities within a school. At the top, we have the School Principal, who oversees the entire operation. Below the principal are the Vice Principal and the School Counselor, who manage the academic and counseling aspects of the school, respectively. Further down the hierarchy are the department heads, such as the English Department Head and the Science Department Head, who supervise the teachers and students within their respective departments. This architecture diagram helps to clarify the lines of authority and communication within the school.
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2. Smith Enterprises Organizational Chart
Smith Enterprises is a medium-sized company with a diverse range of departments. The organizational chart for Smith Enterprises starts with the CEO at the top, who is responsible for the overall strategic direction of the company. Directly beneath the CEO are the heads of various departments, such as Sales, Marketing, Human Resources, and Finance. Each department head reports to the CEO and is responsible for the success of their department. This architecture diagram provides a clear picture of the company's structure and the relationships between different departments.
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3. Retail Company Organizational Chart
The Retail Company Organizational Chart is designed to illustrate the hierarchy and reporting structure within a retail organization. At the top, we have the CEO, who is responsible for the overall performance of the company. Below the CEO are the Regional Managers, who oversee multiple stores within their region. Each store has a Store Manager who is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the store. This architecture diagram helps to visualize the flow of information and decision-making within the retail company.
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4. Hospital Organizational Chart
The Hospital Organizational Chart is a complex diagram that represents the various departments and roles within a hospital. At the top, we have the Hospital Administrator, who is responsible for the overall management of the hospital. Below the administrator are the department heads, such as the Chief of Surgery, Chief of Nursing, and Chief of Radiology. Each department head oversees a team of specialists and support staff. This architecture diagram is essential for understanding the intricate relationships and communication pathways within a hospital.
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5. Sales Department Organizational Chart
The Sales Department Organizational Chart is a focused representation of the hierarchy within a sales department. At the top, we have the Sales Director, who is responsible for the overall sales strategy and performance. Below the director are the Regional Sales Managers, who manage sales teams within their respective regions. Each sales team has a Sales Manager who supervises the sales representatives. This architecture diagram helps to clarify the reporting structure and lines of communication within the sales department.
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6. Software R&D Department Organizational Chart
The Software R&D Department Organizational Chart is a detailed representation of the roles and responsibilities within the research and development department of a software company. At the top, we have the R&D Director, who oversees the entire department. Below the director are the heads of various teams, such as the Software Development team, and Technical Operation team. Each team has a team lead who is responsible for the day-to-day operations and the success of their team. This architecture diagram is crucial for understanding the collaborative efforts and interdependencies within the R&D department.
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7. Administrative Department Organizational Chart
The Administrative Department Organizational Chart is a hierarchical representation of the roles and responsibilities within an administrative department. At the top, we have the Chief Administrative officer, who is responsible for the overall management of the department. Below the director are the Administrative Managers, who oversee different areas such as Administrative Services, Human Resources, and Legal and Compliance. Each manager supervises a team of administrative staff. This architecture diagram helps to visualize the reporting structure and the flow of information within the administrative department.
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8. Finance Department Organizational Chart
The Finance Department Organizational Chart is a detailed diagram that represents the hierarchy and roles within a finance department. At the top, we have the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), who is responsible for the overall financial strategy and performance of the company. Below the CFO are the heads of various sub-departments, such as the Accounting Department, the Budgeting Department, and the Financial Planning and Analysis Department. Each sub-department head oversees a team of financial analysts and accountants. This architecture diagram is essential for understanding the complex relationships and responsibilities within the finance department.
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How to create an organizational chart
There are no right or wrong answers in creating an organizational chart template. As you already know, this diagram has different structures, and each has its own way of making them. Here are some essential tips on how to efficiently structure your organizational chart.
- Decide on the organizational structure. You can also customize one of the available charts online into the template that fits your company. If you want to create the organizational chart template from scratch, remember to make the spacing and sizes of boxes uniform.
- Identify the members responsible for various duties. Add each organization member's responsibilities and job titles and include teams and departments. Identity their placements based on the initial framework you selected.
- Add relationships, including how these groups work together. You can use lines in plotting the flow of duties between every member or team. It's best to use colors to differentiate teams and departments. For example, the sales team can all be yellow, while the marketing department could be blue.
- Provide links if necessary. The beauty of a digital organizational chart template is that you can elaborate more on employee relationships. The template lets you link descriptions for each role through a separate document.
Crafting an Organizational Chart with Boardmix: Step-by-Step Guide
Creating an organizational chart on Boardmix can be an effortless task with its user-friendly interface and helpful tools. Here are step-by-step instructions to help you craft an organizational chart:
1. Login and start a New Board
After logging in to your Boardmix account, start by clicking on 'New Board'. This will provide you with a blank workspace to start your organizational chart.
2. Choose an org chart template
If you don't want to start from zero, just select an organizational chart template. Navigate to the template library on the workplace or click the icon on the board and then you can use these templates for free. There are various ready-made templates on Boardmix, including the organizational chart.
3. Customize Your Chart
Feel free to customize your chart by changing the color and size of the shapes or lines. This can help distinguish between different departments or levels within the organization.
Select the Right Shapes
Within the toolbar, you will find an assortment of pre-designed shapes suitable for an organizational chart. Typically, rectangles or rounded rectangles are used to represent different positions within the organization.
Place Positions on the Canvas
Drag and drop shapes onto your canvas, arranging them according to the hierarchical structure of your organization. Start with the highest-ranking position at the top and then arrange the subsequent levels underneath.
Add Text to Each Position
Once you have all your positions in place, add text to each shape to denote the title of the position or the name of the person holding that position. You can customize the text's font, size, and color according to your preference.
Draw Lines to Indicate Reporting Relationships
Use the line tool in the toolbar to draw lines between different positions, indicating their reporting relationships. You can use straight lines, elbow lines, or curved lines depending on the complexity and style of your chart.
Use Layers for Better Organization
Boardmix supports layers, allowing you to segregate different departments or divisions into separate layers for easier navigation and editing.
4. Save and Share Your Organizational Chart
Once you are satisfied with your organizational chart, it will be saved on Boardmix's secure cloud storage automatically. You can also share it with your team or other stakeholders through email, direct link, or by embedding it on your company's intranet.
Draw Your Organizational Chart Here
Following these steps, you can create a clear and comprehensive organizational chart using Boardmix. Such a chart can prove invaluable in visualizing your company's hierarchy and enhancing internal communication.
FAQs about Organizational Chart
What is the purpose of an organizational chart?
The diagram ensures clarity on the division of labor and assignments of every department. Most importantly, an organizational chart template promotes coordination and collaboration among employees and departments in an institution. Since the diagram provides a concise illustration of relationships and responsibilities, organizations can also have standardized procedures in decision-making.
What are the components of an organizational chart?
When creating your organization chart template, remember the vital elements that must be present on the diagram. This includes departmentation, job design, a chain of command, a span of control, and delegation. The span of control refers to the number of people reporting to a manager. Meanwhile, the chain of common means the line of authority.
Most importantly, an organizational chart involves centralization and decentralization. The former gives leaders complete control over decision-making, while decentralization allows employees and staff to contribute to business decisions. Before creating your chart, the group must decide between the two, as it could also affect decision-making processes.
