Modeling Organizational Structures

The structure of an organization is shown as an organizational hierarchy in an org chart.

Displaying Organization Hierarchy

Use the diagram editor for business resources diagrams and org charts when modeling organizational structures and resources.

The organizational structure forms the framework of an organization.

Once all the tasks for a company have been divided up into positions, there is a hierarchical structure in which individual positions or departments are related to each other. This structure is normally called an org chart.

Super and subordinate forms in the organizational structure can be either single or multiple assignments.

The following organizational forms can be differentiated between based on assignment behaviors (single and multiple assignment) and authorizations (full and partial authorizations):

  • Single-line system
  • Line-and-staff principle
  • Multiple-line system (including matrix organization)

Context

You can create a hierarchical subordination of an organizational chart (e.g. organizational unit, group, position, administrative position, assistant position, managerial position, executive position) to a new or existing organizational unit using the organizational unit's carousel. The hierarchical subordination matches the owner relationship: the super-ordinated organizational unit is the owner of the subordinated organizational unit.

Note

The arrow points in the diagram show which elements are subordinate. The hierarchy is also shown accordingly in the model structure.

Tip

Once an element has been created, it should be renamed straight away so that there are no name conflicts in the hierarchy.

How to proceed

  1. Drag single elements from the Create Diagram Contents gallery and drop them in the org chart.

  2. Create a hierarchical subordination and/or a new organizational unit using the root element's carousel. Repeat this step as often as required.

    The arrow points in the diagram show which elements are subordinate. The hierarchy is also shown accordingly in the model structure.

How to proceed

  • Select the connection, drag it from the source side of the hierarchical subordination and drop it on the new owner.

    The hierarchical subordination is shown for the new owner and the positions are changed accordingly in the model structure.

Context

There are three ways elements can be hierarchically set out based on one of the superordinate elements. You can find the commands for the selected element using Design>Arrange>Hierarchies or via an element's Arrange Hierarchically context menu.

Icon Hierarchical Layout
Horizontal
Vertical Left
Vertical Right
Vertical Left and Right

How to proceed

  1. Select the element which the subordinate elements you want to adjust the layout for.

  2. Select the type of alignment in the Arrange Hierarchically submenu in the context menu.

    All subordinate organizational units are aligned accordingly. Use Undo(Ctrl+Z) to undo the changes.

How to proceed

  1. Select the respective element.

  2. Select the type you want from the resource type property in the organizational unit's properties. Or select the desired resource type using the context menu.

    The type's icon is changed accordingly.

Prerequisites

Organizational unit exists. Each organizational unit can have no more than two assignments: one for the person in charge and one for the cover person. You can model further people as being related to these two people.

Context

You can assign people using diagram elements. Otherwise, you can set a maximum of one person in charge and one cover person as properties of the organizational unit and visualize the names of the people with the organizational unit's graphic element.

The affiliation works in the same way as the assignment of the organizational unit to a person but is weaker than an assignment. An affiliated person is not highlighted in any particular way. You only model the fact that a person is assigned to an organizational unit.

How to proceed

  1. Assign a new person or an existing one in the diagram (e.g. person in charge or cover) via the organizational unit's carousel with the Assign a Person relationship type.

  2. Assign further associated people with the Affiliation relationship type.

How to proceed

  1. Select the respective person element.

  2. Enter the person's first name and surname in the element's properties.

    The name is automatically inserted into the space for the person's name.

Tip

Do not manually maintain the person's name as this will deactivate automatic maintenance of first name and surname.

Prerequisites

Person created and linked with organizational unit. Organizational unit can be seen in the diagram Person not displayed in the diagram

How to proceed

  1. Select organizational unit which a person is assigned to.

  2. Drag person from the Details tool window and drop them in the diagram.

  3. Select the person and show the relationship with Design>Display>Relationships (Ctrl+Shift+R).

    The diagram area is grayed. Visible relationships are shown in black. Hidden relationships are shown in gray.

  4. Click on the gray relationship edges to make them visible in the org chart.

  5. Hide relationships with Design>Display>Relationships (Ctrl+Shift+R). You can also click on a relationship shown in black.

Removing a relationship from the diagram (with context menu or [Del]) is the same as hiding it.

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