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Every company is made up of different departments, positions, and teams. Not keeping track of all this can result in chaos, leading to confusion about who does what and where.
One valuable tool that helps in visualizing the hierarchy within a company is an organizational (org) chart. It visually represents the hierarchical structure of a company and shows the relationships between positions, reporting lines, etc.
While you can create an org chart by hand, the process becomes even easier with EdrawMind – a software specifically designed for designing org charts. It comes with all the tools to create an org chart and offers multiple formats to save your work seamlessly.
In the following guide, let’s delve deeper into org charts and how to create one easily with EdrawMind. Let’s get started!
Key Elements of an Organizational Chart
Let’s explore some of the key elements of an org chart.
Hierarchical Structure Showing Relationships between Positions
At the heart of every org chart is its hierarchical structure that shows the chain of command from top to bottom. This way, the chart begins with the highest authority (the CEO, HOD, or the president) and goes to the bottom of the job position.
Throughout the flow, the chart shows various departments, units, and teams working within the company. So, one look at the chart can give you a clear understanding of authority and accountability throughout the organization.
Depiction of Roles, Responsibilities, and Reporting Relationships
Another key element of an org chart is to define the roles and responsibilities of each position within the organization. Such a structure avoids any mess and helps employees understand their place in the company. This also makes it easier to know whom one should report to and who reports to them so that nothing goes out of order.
Division of Labor and Span of Control
The org chart visually represents the division of labor by showing various roles and functions within the organization. This division means each employee has specific expertise and is responsible for particular tasks.
Keeping all this in one view enhances efficiency and productivity as the chart tells who controls who (for instance, the number of subordinates a manager or supervisor oversees).
Identification of Management Levels and Leadership Hierarchy
An org chart provides a clear view of management levels and leadership hierarchy. As it shows the layers of authority within the organization, it helps employees to understand the chain of command and levels of management in the company. It also creates a sense of direction and accountability, as employees know who to approach for specific matters.
How to Create Organizational Chart in General?
An org chart has many benefits, from visualizing the hierarchical structure to showing relationships within an organization. Here are the three key steps to create an organizational chart in general:
- Identify the Organizational Structure and Key Positions
Before you start creating the chart, first understand the organization’s structure. Make sure you have a deep knowledge of all the company’s key departments, teams, and positions.
Include everything you want to add to the chart, such as roles and reporting relationships, from the top management level to the overall staff. Also, remember the span of control and any particular roles or functions within the organization.
- Choose the Type of Organizational Chart
There are different types of organizational charts, so it is important to decide which one to go for. The type of org chart will depend on the organization’s size, hierarchical complexity, and objectives.
Let’s see the most common types of an org chart:
- Hierarchical Chart: These are suitable for traditional, top-to-bottom organizational structures with clear reporting lines.
- Matrix Chart: These charts are ideal for organizations with cross-functional teams and multiple reporting lines.
- Flat Organizational Chart: These are perfect for smaller companies with a few levels of management and a decentralized structure.
- Divisional Chart: These are perfect for large organizations with multiple branches.
- Add Departments, Teams, and Positions
Start by putting the highest position at the top of the chart (company president or owner). In case of multiple presidents with equal authority, make sure to include all of them up there.
Then, slowly move to level two and add more positions, such as a manager directly reporting to the president. In a bigger company, there may be two or more vice presidents, each handling different areas like operations and sales.
After that, move on to the third level. These are the positions that report directly to the second level. Add all the employees and their positions. Interlink them with each other and state their roles. Keep going until you reach the end of the chart, where the bottom-most position should be added.
How to Create Organizational Chart in EdrawMind?
Creating an org chart can be hectic as there are many departments, teams, and positions to add. An easy solution is to use third-party software like EdrawMind, which is specifically designed to create mind maps and charts. What’s best? It is free to use and includes all the tools to create organizational charts.
Let’s now dive into how to create organizational charts in EdrawMind.
- Choose Your EdrawMind Option
To create an org chart in EdrawMind, you have two options: either use the EdrawMind Software on your computer or access EdrawMind online. Both options are perfect for creating org charts, but you can choose one depending on your convenience. Once done, go to New in the left sidebar and select any template.
- Customize Your Org Chart
The selected template will appear on the left pane of your computer screen. Now, you can customize the template by adding different block shapes, roles, and other elements that represent your organizational structure.
- Save and Export Your Chart
After you are done with your chart, it’s time to save and share it. EdrawMind offers various export formats, such as MS Office, PDF, PS, and Graphs. Choose your preferred format and save your org chart.
Conclusion
No doubt, organizational charts visualize the entire system within a company. They help you understand who does what and where, allowing you to have a quick look at the company’s hierarchy.
You can create an org chart generally, but using EdrawMind makes the process super-easy and fast. Its user-friendly interface and many tools let you easily create long, complex charts.
