If your organization relies on quality circles or production teams to accomplish its mission, you should show that in your Org Chart. Don’t feel constrained to stick to horizontal groupings and vertical lines. If your employees will more clearly understand their roles by doing so, you can use circles, inverted triangles, or whatever else you need.
There are many software products on the market to help you show how you want your organization to function. OrgPlus is an example of the kinds of tools that can be used to clarify many aspects of the business, including Org Charts.
The Way It Should Be Done
The example below is a representation of an Org Chart, which impressed me greatly. It was released to usher in a new era for a company that required creative, new action from all its employees.
It clearly shows the flat, horizontal structure intended to foster communication and innovation. It clearly shows the team formed by the top two officers, indicative of what the employees are expected to do. Yet it retains the unequivocal lines of final responsibility. The President is clearly leading the company, but everyone else knows they have to do their part to succeed.
The Way an Org Chart Should Be
It is still too early to tell if this Org Chart will have the desired effect. It has been in place only a couple of weeks. However, the company officers have clearly used it as an effective management tool to help drive their organization toward its new goals.
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