Organization charts are visual diagrams that show the structure of a company or organization. They illustrate the hierarchy and reporting relationships between different roles, teams, and departments. Traditionally, org charts were created using basic tools like paper and whiteboards. However, these static charts don’t reflect the complex, cross-functional nature of modern organizations. Luckily, new digital tools now enable companies to make interactive and collaborative org charts.
Visualizing Hierarchies with Spreadsheets
Spreadsheets like Excel remain a popular starting point for drafting org charts. The rows and columns provide a grid to map out different positions and reporting lines. Dropdown lists, conditional formatting, and other features help distinguish between departments, roles, and responsibilities. However, spreadsheets are limited to simple hierarchical structures and lack visual appeal.
Crafting Basic Charts in Word Processors
Programs like Word and Google Docs allow users to insert SmartArt graphics to represent org structures. There are various pre-made org chart templates and shapes to depict different roles and relationships. Some formatting options exist to customize the look and feel. But overall, Word-based org charts are static and unable to show the true dynamics within a company.
Enhancing Visuals in Presentation Slides
Tools like PowerPoint and Google Slides enable more visual freedom when designing org charts. Users can pick creative slide layouts, color schemes, fonts, and graphical elements. Simple animation effects can also be added to introduce some interactivity. But charts made in presentation software are still single-page diagrams not optimized for collaboration.
Building Interactive Org Charts
Miro provides full-featured online whiteboards for crafting digital org charts. Users can download an organizational chart template from Miro and freely drag and drop shapes to model their structure. Visuals are enhanced with colors, icons, images, and custom objects. Clickable links connect related elements across the chart. Real-time collaboration allows multiple people to jointly edit the diagram. And org charts can be easily exported and shared with the rest of the organization.
Promoting Understanding with Live Editing
A major benefit of online whiteboard platforms is that org charts become living documents that can be updated in real-time. As teams, roles, and reporting lines change, anyone with edit access can immediately modify the chart to reflect new realities. This keeps the org structure current and promotes understanding across the organization. No more emailing static chart images each time a change occurs.
Encouraging Cross-Functional Thinking
Rigid hierarchical org charts reinforce narrow thinking within strict silos. But interactive diagrams can show dotted lines, feedback loops, and connections between different teams and departments. This spurs more cross-functional thinking, open communication, and big picture understanding of how the organization really operates.
Driving Alignment with Access and Transparency
Posting interactive org charts online where anyone in the company can view and explore them promotes alignment. All employees gain visibility into the structure, purpose, and membership of different teams. This mitigates confusion around reporting relationships and responsibilities. Transparent org charts act as directories so people know who to contact for help.
Traditional tools limit organizations to linear, hierarchical, and static org charts. But new digital platforms like Miro enable interactive diagrams that reflect the dynamic cross-functional relationships within modern companies. Building transparent and collaborative org charts promotes understanding, alignment, and productivity across the organization.