Organisational structures

Organisational Structure

Outlines the reporting relationships, roles, and responsibilities of employees in a business.

Hierarchy

Refers to the levels of authority within an organisation, ranking positions from top to bottom.

Chain of Command

The formal line of authority that flows downward from top management to lower-level employees.

Span of Control

The number of employees directly managed by a supervisor or manager.

Centralised Organisation

Structure where authority for decision-making rests with senior management at the center.

Decentralised Organisation

Structure where decision-making authority is delegated to functional or middle managers.

Delegation

The process by which managers transfer responsibility and authority for specific tasks to subordinates.

Functional Areas

Groups of workers with similar skills and expertise responsible for specific organisational roles.

Operational Staff

Employees who complete tasks as directed by their managers.

Support Staff

Employees who assist with non-core operations of a business.

Senior Manager

Manager responsible for long-term planning and achieving overall business goals.

Functional Manager

Manager responsible for running a specific function within the business, such as marketing or finance.

Supervisor/Team Leader

Individual who helps managers achieve their targets and allocates jobs among employees.

Flat Organisational Structure

Structure with few management levels, a short chain of command, and a wide span of control.

Hierarchical Organisational Structure

Structure with multiple management levels, a long chain of command, and a narrow span of control.