Types of Organizational Structures
This type of organizational structure follows a direct chain of command from top to bottom.
Line Structure
This system defines how activities are allocated, coordinated, and supervised within a company, outlining the chain of command and the flow of information to achieve its goals.
Organizational Structure
This term refers to the number of employees a manager directly supervises.
Span of Control
This type of organizational structure is commonly used in the military
Line
This structure is based on specialized departments such as marketing, finance, and production.
Functional Structure
The highest position in an organizational chart is typically held by this person.
CEO/Principal/Manager
The official hierarchy of authority within an organization is known as this.
Chain of Command
A school typically follows this type of organizational structure.
Line Structure
In this structure, staff personnel advise and assist line managers but do not have direct authority.
Line and Staff Structure
This diagram visually represents a company’s hierarchy and chain of command.
Organizational chart
The informal structure within an organization is mainly based on this type of interaction.
Social Interactions/ Friendships etc
In a business, the Human Resources (HR) department is part of this type of structure.
Functional Structure
This structure is temporary and formed for a specific task or project, often disbanded afterward.
Committee Structure
A company lawyer, consultant, or executive secretary in a business would typically be classified under this role in a line and staff structure.
Staff Officer
In a Line and Staff structure, these employees assist and advise but do not have authority over others.
Staff Officers/Workers
The Student Council in a school is an example of this type of organizational structure.
Committee
Distinguishing between formal and informal structures requires understanding that formal structures are defined by official standards, while informal structures are driven by this.
Social interactions etc
This type of control exists when a manager oversees only a few employees, allowing for closer supervision.
Narrow Span of Control
Beyond the formal hierarchy, this network, defined by social interactions and unofficial communication, plays a significant role in organizational dynamics, often bypassing established protocols.
Informal
While often temporary, these groups, such as a PTA or student council, operate with delegated duties and a defined purpose, yet their presence on a standard organizational chart is typically implied rather than explicitly shown.
Committee