Organizational Structure

An Organizational Structure is a structure that defines how activities, information, and power flow through an organization.

• Context:
  • It can (typically) determine reporting relationships and lines of authority within an organization.
  • It can (often) impact how work is coordinated and tasks are allocated among employees or departments.
  • It can range from being a Centralized Organizational Structure to being a Decentralized Organizational Structure.
  • It can influence organizational culture, communication patterns, and decision-making processes.
  • It can be designed to align with an organization's strategy, goals, and environment.
  • It can evolve over time as an organization grows or its business needs change.
  • It can be formally documented in organizational charts and job descriptions.
  • It can impact an organization's agility, innovation capacity, and operational efficiency.
  • ...
• Example(s):
  • a Functional Organizational Structure that groups employees by specialized function.
  • a Hierarchical Organizational Structure with clear chains of command.
  • a Matrix Organizational Structure for a matrix organization that combines functional and project-based structures.
  • a Flat Organizational Structure, for a flat organization with few or no levels of middle management.
  • a Divisional Organizational Structure organized around products, markets, or geographic regions.
  • a Network Organizational Structure with a flexible, interconnected arrangement of units.
  • a Team-Based Organizational Structure centered around semi-autonomous or self-directed teams.
  • a Holacratic Organizational Structure distributing authority through self-organizing teams.
  • a Software Engineering Organizational Structure tailored for software development teams and processes.
  • ...
• Counter-Example(s):
  • Family Structure, which pertains to familial relationships rather than business organizations.
  • Organizational Practice, ...
  • Building Structure, which relates to the physical construction and support of buildings.
• See: Organizational Design, Organizational Behavior, Corporate Governance, Change Management, Organizational Development, Job Design, Span of Control, Organizational Chart, Conway's Law, Employee, Organizations, Clustered Entities, Branch (Banking), Departmentalization, Working Group, Conway's Law.

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References

2022

• chat.openai.com
  • Q: what are some organizational structures for Software Engineering Organizations?
  • A: There are several different organizational structures that can be used for software engineering organizations, and the best structure for a particular organization will depend on a number of factors, such as the size of the organization, the nature of the work being done, and the company culture. Here are a few examples of organizational structures that are commonly used in software engineering organizations:
    • Hierarchical structure: In this type of structure, there is a clear chain of command, with decisions being made at the top and then cascading down through the organization. This structure can be effective for large organizations with many layers of management.
    • Matrix structure: In a matrix structure, teams are organized around specific projects or products, rather than by function. This allows for greater flexibility and the ability to bring together people with different skills and expertise as needed.
    • Flat structure: A flat structure has fewer levels of management, with a more horizontal decision-making process. This can lead to a more collaborative and agile approach, but can also be less efficient if there are too many people involved in decision-making.
    • Hybrid structure: Some organizations combine elements of different structures, such as a hierarchical structure with elements of a flat structure, to create a hybrid structure that meets the needs of the organization.

2017

• (Wikipedia, 2017) ⇒ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/organizational_structure Retrieved:2017-3-30.
  • An organizational structure defines how activities such as task allocation, coordination and supervision are directed toward the achievement of organizational aims. It can also be considered as the viewing glass or perspective through which individuals see their organization and its environment. Organizations are a variant of clustered entities.

    An organization can be structured in many different ways, depending on its objectives. The structure of an organization will determine the modes in which it operates and performs.

    Organizational structure allows the expressed allocation of responsibilities for different functions and processes to different entities such as the branch, department, workgroup and individual.

    Organizational structure affects organizational action in two big ways:

    • First, it provides the foundation on which standard operating procedures and routines rest.
    • Second, it determines which individuals get to participate in which decision-making processes, and thus to what extent their views shape the organization’s actions.

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