Sociogram

One of the first things I always ask from every new organization I visit/join is an organization chart. Call it by any other name (ORGANIGRAM as introduced by Mintzberg) it still represents the same elements, the organizational focus, reporting lines, flow of authority and responsibilities.

The part that is interesting is when one flipping the charts upside down! The ORGANIGRAM transforms into a SOCIOGRAM of the organization, the influence at every level in the hierarchy. Width of the structure at any level is directly proportional to the extent of social influence that level casts both above and below.