An organizational chart shows the internal structure of an organization or company. The employees and positions are represented by boxes or other shapes, sometimes including photos, contact information, email and page links, icons and illustrations. Straight or elbowed lines link the levels together. With our org chart software, this creates a clear visual depiction of the hierarchy and ranks of different people, jobs, and departments that make up the organization. Show
Organizational Charts also are known as Organization Charts, Org Charts, Organograms, Organogram Charts (sometimes spelled Organigrams or Organigrammes) and Hierarchy Charts. Don’t be fooled: Despite all the different names, they’re all the same thing. 8 minute read Do you want to create your own organization chart? Try Lucidchart. It's fast, easy, and totally free. HistoryIn 1855, railway general superintendent Daniel McCallum (1815-1878) designed what is thought to be the first modern organizational chart. It was an illustrated diagram of the New York and Erie Railway. McCallum had it drawn up by draftsman and civil engineer George Holt Henshaw (1831-1891). McCallum, born in Scotland, also served as a Union major general in the Civil War. Henshaw, a Canadian, worked for waterworks and railway companies in Canada, the United States and Denmark. The term “organizational chart” took another 50 to 60 years to come into common use. Consulting engineer Willard C. Brinton used the term in his 1914 textbook, Graphic Methods for Presenting Facts. He touted the value of the charts and said they should be more widely used. The charts were mainly used in engineering circles until the 1920s, when they began to find their way into the business world. The lesser-known synonyms “Organigram” and “Organogram” came into use in the 1960s. A related diagram is called an Organigraph. While is still reflects organizational structure, it’s less linear than an org chart and serves a different purpose: to illustrate associations and opportunities among departments, products or supply chains. Types of organizational chartsWhat is an organizational chart's best format? Depending on your needs and the type of organization, you may want to choose a less traditional org chart format. There are three main types of org charts: hierarchical, matrix and flat.
Relationships in the charts are sometimes called line relationships (or chain of command), depicting supervisor to subordinate, and lateral relationships, showing people on the same level. With line relationships, you might have solid lines, showing the main lines of authority, or dotted lines, showing secondary lines of authority. There are no hard and fast rules in the symbols and lines used in org charts, as long as the formal relationships are made clear. Pros and cons of different organization typesThe types of organizations reflected in these chart types have advantages and disadvantages. In a nutshell:
Uses of org chartsWhat is the best use for an organizational chart? No matter which layout you choose to use, Org Charts are useful for laying out relationships in your organization and ensuring that everyone knows how to communicate essential information. You can use org charts for:
Getting more visual with organizational chartsThere are few rules with org charts, so any visual elements that help to communicate are fair game.
Limitations of org charts
How to plan and draw a basic organizational chart / organogram
More tips for organizational charts / organograms
How to make an org chart with LucidchartIf you want Lucidchart to do the work for you, automatically create an org chart by uploading a CSV, Google Sheet, or Excel file. Lucidchart lets you easily create org charts, with smooth placement of boxes, lines, labels, colors, photos and other visual elements. With all editing taking place in the cloud, it’s easy to collaborate with colleagues. You can share your diagram digitally or via print. Want to create org charts that highlight your company’s culture? Choose a layout that works best for your structure, update a design with your company colors, and add employee photos to each role. You can even add links and videos to your document for some extra pizzazz. Try clicking on our org chart templates and make it your own. For a truly dynamic experience, Lucidchart lets you share and embed org charts on your own site. When you share a chart with others, you can also set permissions so people can comment on the doc or collaborate with you in real-time. Just click Share > Embed to generate an embed code for your site. If you update your org chart in Lucidchart’s editor, the embedded chart will also update. How’s that for easy updates? With drag-and-drop shapes, real-time collaboration and advanced sharing features, Lucidchart makes it easy to create your own org chart. Do you want to create your own organization chart? Try Lucidchart. It's fast, easy, and totally free. What is a pictorial representation of reporting relationships in an organization called?Organizational Chart Definition
Organizational charts (or hierarchy charts) are the graphical representation of an organization's structure. Its purpose is to illustrate the reporting relationships and chains of command within the organization.
Which of the following is the element of organizational structure that describes who reports to whom within an organization?In an organizational structure, “chain of command” refers to a company's hierarchy of reporting relationships – from the bottom to the top of an organization, who must answer to whom. The chain of command not only establishes accountability, it lays out a company's lines of authority and decision-making power.
Is a graphic description of positions and lines of authority and responsibility in an organization or unit?An organizational chart is a diagram that visually conveys a company's internal structure by detailing the roles, responsibilities, and relationships between individuals within an entity. It is one way to visualize a bureaucracy.
Which of the following are elements of organizational structure?Five elements create an organizational structure: job design, departmentation, delegation, span of control and chain of command. These elements comprise an organizational chart and create the organizational structure itself.
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