Organizational chart template template

An organizational chart outlines the basic structure of an organization, making it easy to identify resourcing gaps and paint a detailed picture of your business. You can use an organizational chart to better understand your company's roles, responsibilities, relationships, and the positions and job titles that define your organizational hierarchy.

An effective organizational chart simplifies the onboarding process by providing new hires with a clear visual representation of your organizational structure. New team members can quickly understand who’s in charge of what. The chart also clarifies reporting relationships and helps new hires identify their direct reports, making navigating the company's hierarchy and communication channels easier.

Your company wiki is a crucial organizational chart feature, giving you a centralized spot for project collaboration. The chart includes all employees to provide a comprehensive view of the organization. You can also use an organizational chart to understand better how you’re using your resources and how to optimize them.

Examples of organizational charts

Org charts come in various structures that reflect different company cultures, operational models, and strategic objectives. There is no “right” organizational chart; the decision depends on your company's hierarchy, size, industry, etc. 

Here are a few examples of org charts:

• Hierarchical Organizational Chart: This is the most traditional and standard type, resembling a pyramid. It defines a top-down structure with a clear chain of command, showing reporting relationships from senior leadership to entry-level employees. It's ideal for larger, more established organizations that require clear lines of authority and responsibility.

• Matrix Organizational Chart: This structure is designed for companies where employees report to more than one manager, typically a functional manager (e.g., Head of Marketing) and a project manager. It's often used in project-based environments or agile organizations, fostering cross-functional collaboration, but can sometimes lead to reporting complexities.

• Flat (or Horizontal) Organizational Chart: Characterized by few or no middle management levels, this structure emphasizes decentralization and direct communication. It's common in smaller companies or startups, promoting autonomy, faster decision-making, and a more collaborative environment, but scaling can be challenging.

• Divisional Organizational Chart: This type is used by larger companies that organize themselves by specific products, services, geographical regions, or customer segments. Each division operates almost like its own mini-company with its own set of functional departments (e.g., a separate marketing, sales, and HR team for each product line).

• Network Organizational Chart: A less traditional and more flexible structure, the network model emphasizes open communication and decentralized decision-making. It's often used by companies that rely heavily on external partners, freelancers, or a highly collaborative, project-based workforce, showing relationships between internal teams and external entities.