Project Organization Chart

September 25, 2025
« Back to Glossary Index

What is a Project Organization Chart?

A project organization chart is a visual diagram that outlines the structure of a project team. It shows the hierarchy of roles, responsibilities, and relationships between team members and stakeholders. This chart helps clarify who reports to whom and how communication flows within the project. Project managers and stakeholders often use it at the beginning of a project to establish leadership and decision-making authority.

The chart may include project managers, team leads, subject matter experts, external consultants, and sponsors. It serves as a guide for team alignment, helping to identify resource needs and reporting structures. The project organization chart can be updated throughout the project as roles shift or responsibilities change.

Creating and maintaining this chart is a crucial part of project planning, particularly for large or complex projects that involve multiple teams or departments.

Key Points

  • A project organization chart defines the reporting structure within a project team.
  • It typically includes names, titles, and lines of authority or communication.
  • The chart supports role clarity and accountability across the project lifecycle.
  • It helps stakeholders understand how the team is organized and where to escalate issues.
  • Charts can vary in complexity depending on the project size and organizational structure.

Related Terms

  • A project governance framework outlines the rules, roles, and decision-making processes that support the structure shown in the chart.
  • A responsibility assignment matrix (RAM) complements the chart by mapping specific tasks to roles and clarifying accountability.
  • The project management plan often includes the organization chart as part of its human resources or communications section.
  • Stakeholder analysis helps identify which individuals should be included in the project structure and reflected in the chart.
  • A project charter may reference or summarize the organization chart to show leadership roles and authority levels.

Project Organization Chart: Example

In a software development project, the organizational chart typically shows the project sponsor at the top, followed by the project manager. Under the manager, there may be leads for development, testing, and user experience. Each lead has their respective team members. Lines between these roles indicate reporting relationships and communication paths.

Project Organization Chart: Best Practices

  • Create the chart early in the planning phase to establish a clear structure and minimize confusion.
  • Involving key stakeholders when defining roles ensures accuracy and clarity.
  • Use clear, easy-to-read visuals and keep the chart up to date.
  • Align the chart with the broader organizational structure to avoid conflict.
  • Share the chart with all team members to promote transparency and accountability.

Additional Resources

Project Organization Chart - A Guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK Guide)     Project Organization Chart - Project Management: A Systems Approach to Planning, Scheduling, and Controlling

Preparing for a PMI certification?

« Back to Glossary Index