DECIPHERING ORG. STRUCTURE 2
Deciphering the Organization: A Structural Analysis
The internal framework of an organization, often referred to as its structure, dictates how
work gets done. It defines the reporting lines, decision-making hierarchies, and communication
channels that shape daily operations (Mintzberg, 1979). This is crucial for employees and
stakeholders. For the employees, it clarifies their roles, responsibilities, and communication
pathways. For the stakeholders, it clarifies the insights into the organization's decision-making
processes and its potential. This paper explores the organizational structure of an organization
and its key factors that influence the size, structure, and complexity of the organization. By
deciphering the organizational structure, we can gain a deeper understanding of how an
organization functions and how individuals can navigate its complexities.
Chain of Command
A chain of command is a series of executive positions in order of authority (Merriam-
Webster, n.d.). At The Belle Center, the chain of command is a dual authority chain of
command. According to Bolman & Deal, (2021), a dual authority creates a management level
below the boss. Two individuals have authority over specific areas of the group’s work. The
executive director has economic, legal, contractual, and collegial authority.
Span of Control
Within the center, three levels exist in the organization. The chain of command starts
with the executive director. Below the executive director are the directors of the different
departments. Below the directors of the different departments are the staff of those departments.
The executive director makes the final decisions for the center. The directors of the different
departments make daily decisions for each department and its staff. The staff have no control
DECIPHERING ORG. STRUCTURE 3
over the decisions made for the organization, but they can make suggestions that could help the
center and departments. However, they have control over the decisions being made in the
classrooms and groups when with children. At The Belle Center, there are twenty-five
individuals that report to various managers at various levels.
Departmentalization Structures and Decisions
At The Belle Center, the departmentalization structure is simple. The departments in the
organization consist of the executive director and their team. Next, is the school-age director and
daycare director department, followed by the school-age staff and daycare staff department. Each
department handles specific obligations within the organization to make the organization run
smoothly. The executive director and their team are the first department. The executive and their
team handle the financial and contractual obligations and decision-making including grants,
allocations of funds, contracts for services, RFP writing, payroll, etc. The second department is
the directors for the school-age and daycare departments. These directors handle the day-to-day
operations and decision-making for each department including planning activities, field trips,
enrolling new children and families, monthly and quarterly reports, staff training and reviews,
etc. The final department is the staff of the school-age and daycare departments. These
individuals handle the day-to-day decisions in their classrooms when working with children. If
they are unsure, these individuals contact their director for guidance and clarification.
Centralized/Decentralized Continuum and Distinctions
Each organization is placed on the centralized/decentralized continuum based on how
they operate. At one end is a highly centralized structure where authority rests typically with the
chief executive. At the opposite end is a highly decentralized structure where all employees
DECIPHERING ORG. STRUCTURE 4
participate in all major decisions (INSIGHTS: To Centralize or Decentralize, That Is Not the
Question, 2022). Based on the chain of command and the departmental structure The Belle
Center, sits in the middle of the centralized/decentralized continuum towards the upper middle,
classified as moderately centralized, where the department or unit heads are involved in the
decision-making. The economic, legal, contractual, and collegial decisions are made by the
executive director but, the day-to-day decisions are made by the directors of the programs within
the organization. In the organization, there are staff/line distinctions based on the chain of
command. About 80% of the time the staff/line distinctions are kept. Sometimes the department
staff have gone above the directors to the executive director. Also, there have been incidents
where the executive director goes below their directors and to the staff of the different
departments. These incidents have broken the chain of command and trust within the
organization.
Conclusion
In closing, deciphering the organization is not just understanding the organizational
structure. It reveals the inner workings of a complex system. This tells us who has the power in
the organization, who makes the decisions, and how information is disbursed throughout the
organization. By understanding The Belle Center’s structure, it has offered valuable insight into
the organization and to better prepare individuals to work throughout the organization using the
structural theories lens.
DECIPHERING ORG. STRUCTURE 5
References
Bolman, L. G., & Deal, T. E. (2021). Reframing organizations : Artistry, choice, and leadership.
John Wiley & Sons, Incorporated.
INSIGHTS: To Centralize or Decentralize, That Is Not the Question. (2022, November 1).
Icma.org. https://icma.org/articles/pm-magazine/insights-centralize-or-decentralize-not-
question#:~:text=Instead%20of%20two%20opposing%20structures
Merriam-Webster. (n.d.). Chain of command. In Merriam-Webster.com dictionary. Retrieved
July 6, 2024, from https://www.merriambster.com/dictionary/chain%20of%20command
Mintzberg, H. (1979). The structuring of organizations: A synthesis of the literature.
Administrative Science Quarterly, 24(2), 246-278.
Powered by TCPDF (www.tcpdf.org)
