Organisation · Structure · Component
Unit map
The units the organisation is divided into, what each is for, the basis on which they are grouped, and whom each reports into.
The deliverable
What it is
A unit map is the organisation chart with its reasons added. The chart shows boxes and lines; the map also records what each box is for and why the boxes were drawn along these lines and not others.
Its value shows at the next reorganisation. With the grouping basis written down, a proposed change can be discussed as a change of trade-off, not as a rearrangement of names.
One level in
What it is made of
Each element is a constituent part of the component. Follow one to see the attributes it carries.
The unit list
Every unit, with a one-sentence mandate stating what it exists to deliver and a named head.
3 attributes: Unit · Mandate · Head
LearnThe grouping basis
Whether each level groups work by function, product, market, geography or process, and why that basis was chosen.
3 attributes: Basis · Rationale · Coordination made harder
LearnThe reporting lines
Which unit reports into which, including any dotted lines, and what each dotted line is actually for.
3 attributes: Reports into · Line type · Purpose of dotted line
Learn
Write the grouping basis and its reason beside the chart. Without them, the next reorganisation starts from names instead of trade-offs.
The other components in structure
Span and layer record
How many people each manager leads directly, and how many layers separate the top of the organisation from the front line.
LearnCoordination register
The dependencies between units, the mechanism assigned to coordinate each one, and the points where coordination is known to fail.
Learn