An organization chart shows the hierarchical relationships that exist in a company.
An organization chart is a diagram of the organization of a company , entity or activity. The term is also used to name the graphic representation of the operations carried out within the framework of an industrial or computer process.
An organization chart allows you to analyze the structure of the organization represented and fulfills an informative role by offering data on the general characteristics of the organization.
Characteristics of an organization chart
Organization charts can include the names of the people who direct each department or division of the entity, to explain the hierarchical relationships and current powers.
In this way, organizational charts must graphically or schematically represent the different levels of hierarchy and the relationship between them. They do not have to go into details, but their mission is to offer information that is easy to understand and simple to use.
The amount of information presented in an organization chart can vary.
Classification according to type
Three types of organizational chart can be mentioned. General organizational charts are those that offer a simplified view of the organization, since they only display the most important information. Analytical organizational charts , on the other hand, show more detailed data and are more specific. Finally, supplementary organizational charts are a complement to analytical ones.
However, although this is a generalized classification of the types of existing organizational charts based on the functions performed in each area, we cannot ignore the fact that there is another typology that revolves around what It is the structure of those. Starting from this premise we find the following types:
Horizontal organizational chart . It is characterized by the fact that hierarchies are shown from left to right.
Vertical organizational chart . In their case, the aforementioned hierarchies are presented in the form of a pyramid, that is, at the top will be the most important authority and at the bottom will be the worker with the least decision-making power.
Circular organizational chart . The center of it is the most important authority within the entity or company and starting from it, the circles are formed that represent the rest of the members of the entity based on their power and position.
Mixed organization chart . This type is characterized by being a mixture of the first two types mentioned.
Scalar organizational chart . The main hallmark that identifies this type of organizational chart is that authority is associated with indentations in such a way that the more indentation a person has within that, the less power they will have within the company.
Importance of the organization chart
In addition to all of the above, we can say that any company, entity or institution has its own organizational chart. Thus, it exists both in any city council and in any private company or in the various government ministries.
It is important to keep in mind that no organizational chart can be fixed or invariable. That is, an organization chart is a kind of photograph of the structure of an organization at a given time . Over time, the entire existing structure and relationships undergo changes, which must be reflected with updates to the organizational chart or even with the design and development of a completely new organizational chart that renders the previous one worthless.