Org Chart

The Org Chart is a project management reference tool covering org chart, organizational chart, org chart template, company org chart. Use the chart below to look up values instantly. Printable and downloadable versions are available on this page.

Org Chart Structure Types

Organisational Chart Types — When to Use Each
Org Chart Type Structure Description Best For Visual Layout
Hierarchical (top-down) Traditional pyramid structure — CEO at top, management layers, individual contributors at the bottom Most companies with clear reporting lines and defined chain of command Tree diagram flowing downward
Flat (horizontal) Few or no management layers — most employees report directly to one or two top leaders Startups, small businesses, agile teams emphasising autonomy Wide shallow structure with minimal vertical layers
Matrix Employees report to two managers simultaneously — functional manager and project manager Project-based organisations, consulting firms, engineering companies running multiple simultaneous projects Grid structure showing dual reporting lines
Divisional Separate divisions each with their own functional departments (HR, Finance, Sales) Large corporations with distinct product lines, geographic regions, or customer segments Multiple parallel hierarchies under one corporate umbrella
Network Decentralised — core team at centre, contractors and partners surrounding it Modern organisations with outsourced functions and freelance workers Hub-and-spoke or interconnected nodes
Team-based (functional) Teams organised by function or skill set (Engineering, Marketing, Operations) Companies with stable products where collaboration within disciplines is primary Grouped clusters by department

Source: SHRM organisational design frameworks and Harvard Business Review management structures

Centered hero graphic for an org chart tool showing the title Org Chart, a refined input panel with organization structure dropdown, team or department name field, hierarchy depth toggle, and Generate button over a sleek business UI background.

Standard Org Chart Components

Standard Org Chart Elements Reference
Element What It Represents Visual Convention
Box or node An individual, role, or team Rectangular box containing the person's name, job title, and optionally their department and contact information
Solid line (vertical) Direct reporting relationship — the person below reports to the person above Solid vertical or diagonal line connecting boxes
Dotted or dashed line Indirect reporting, advisory, or project-based relationship Dashed line indicating a secondary or matrix reporting relationship
Horizontal grouping Peers at the same level in the hierarchy Boxes connected to the same manager placed side by side at the same tier
Colour coding Department or function Each department (Engineering, Sales, HR) uses a distinct background colour to allow quick visual identification
Photo or avatar Personal identification in smaller organisations Small headshot image within or beside the name box — humanises the chart
Title hierarchy Level in the organisation Font size, box size, or position can all reinforce seniority level in the chart

Standard org chart convention

How to Build an Org Chart — Step by Step

  1. Identify the scope — determine whether you are charting the entire organisation, a single department, or a specific project team. Scope determines layout size and level of detail needed.

  2. Gather the data — collect all roles, names, reporting relationships, and departments. For large organisations HR systems (Workday, BambooHR, Rippling) can export this data in structured format.

  3. Choose a layout direction — top-down is traditional and most readable for hierarchical organisations. Left-to-right works well for wide flat structures. Circular layouts suit network organisations.

  4. Build the chart — tools range from free options (Google Slides, Canva, draw.io, Microsoft PowerPoint SmartArt) to dedicated org chart software (Lucidchart, Miro, OrgPlus, ChartHop). Start at the top with the CEO or department head and work downward tier by tier.

  5. Review and update — org charts go stale quickly. Set a calendar reminder to review quarterly. For large dynamic organisations use software that connects directly to the HRIS for automatic updates.

Org Chart Builder

Add roles and reporting lines to build your org chart. Copy or download the result when done.

Add roles one at a time. Choose a manager from the dropdown to set reporting lines.

Add your first role above to start building the chart.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is an org chart?
An org chart (organisational chart) is a diagram that visually represents the structure of an organisation — showing roles, reporting relationships, and the chain of command. It is one of the most fundamental management tools for communication, onboarding, and organisational design.
What is the difference between a flat and hierarchical org structure?
A hierarchical organisation has multiple layers of management between the top executive and individual contributors — suitable for large organisations requiring clear accountability and control. A flat organisation has few or no management layers — promoting autonomy and faster decision-making but becoming harder to manage as the company grows.
What software is best for making an org chart?
Lucidchart, draw.io (free), Microsoft Visio, and Miro are the most commonly used dedicated org chart tools. For quick simple charts Google Slides, PowerPoint SmartArt, or Canva work well without specialised software.
What is a matrix org structure?
A matrix structure means employees report to two managers simultaneously — a functional manager for their discipline (e.g. Engineering) and a project manager for the specific project they are working on. It provides flexibility for project-based work but can create ambiguity about priorities.
How often should an org chart be updated?
Org charts should be updated whenever a structural change occurs — new hire, departure, promotion, or reorganisation. For dynamic organisations quarterly reviews are minimum — dynamic HRIS-connected tools update in real time.
What information should an org chart include?
At minimum an org chart should show: name, job title, and reporting lines. Additional useful fields include department, location, email, start date, and team size depending on the purpose of the chart.
What is a skip-level relationship in an org chart?
A skip-level relationship is when a senior leader meets directly with employees two or more levels below them — bypassing their direct manager. Skip-level meetings are a management practice for gathering unfiltered feedback rather than a formal reporting line.
What is the difference between an org chart and an organogram?
They are the same thing — organogram is the British English term for what North Americans call an org chart or organisational chart. Both refer to a diagram showing hierarchical structure and reporting relationships.

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