Understanding Organizational Charts: Structure and Design
Three Key Objectives of Organizational Charts
- Provides a formal organizational structure
- Represents a valuable technical element for organizational analysis
- Serves as an authoritative source of consultation
What is an Organizational Chart?
It is a graphic representation of the organizational structure of an institution or one of its areas, showing the relationships between the organs within it.
Fundamental Criteria for Preparing Organizational Charts
Accuracy, simplicity, consistency, presentation, and currency
Four Classifications of Organizational Charts
- By their nature
- By their scope
- By their content
- By their presentation
Classification by Nature
Micro-administrative, Macro-administrative, Meso-administrative
Classification by Scope
General and Specific
Classification by Content
Integral, Functional, Posts, Places, and Units
Classification by Presentation
Vertical, Horizontal, Mixed, Block
Changes Arising from Organizational Structure Changes
- The Federal Executive
- The head of the institution
- The administrative authority of the institution
- A unit or work area
Responsibilities in Organizational Changes
Head of the Institution
Gives directions to amend the regulations and structure.
Administrative Area
Makes the changes in the form of staff and allocates resources for that purpose.
Legal Department
Updates the internal rules and other legal provisions governing the institution’s operation.
Strategic Business Unit (SBU)
A group-based business subsidiary with strategic elements common to all.
Unit/Team (Hybrid)
Its design uses units represented by rectangles, classic teams, and working as a liaison between functional areas and the level of production.
Ratio of In-House Counsel
The organ that provides online advisory units that are part of the organizational structure.
Relationship Between Line Agencies and Advisory Units
The organ that provides online advisory units that are part of the organizational structure, allowing them to perform their functions independently.
Integration of Inter-Agency Committees
With representatives from different institutions.
Representation of Internal Committees
By a rectangle and a short dashed line.
Steps to Prepare an Organizational Chart
Authorization to conduct the study, integration of staff, setting the agenda, information collection, classification and recording of information, data analysis, and design of the organization.
What is an Organigram?
These are maps that show individuals in their positions.
Components of an Organigram
September, chains, axes, and nets.
Design of Figures in Organizational Charts
It is a process where managers make decisions, and members of the organization implement the strategy.
Primary Role in Organizational Design
They are used to translate into organizational units that comprise the structure.
Six Different Levels in an Organization
Directing, means, operating, advisory, and decentralized.
Rules for Using Figures in Organizational Charts
- A single type of figure should be used to symbolize each element of the organization.
- Text should appear horizontally to facilitate the reader’s understanding.
Size of Figures in an Organizational Chart
It is important that the organizational rectangles have the same or similar dimensions to avoid misunderstanding the hierarchy.
Placement of Figures in an Organizational Chart
Figures should be located or arranged accordingly in the chart.
Substantive Units
These are the units assigned tasks arising from the legal instrument creating them.
Adjective Units
Also called support units, these are assigned administrative functions to provide support to substantive units.