Hierarchy

How it is used

Companies can have a strict, flat or steep hierarchy. People move up the hierarchy, and decisions travel up and down it. The adjective hierarchical often describes a formal, top-down culture.

Example sentences

1. It's a very traditional bank with a strict hierarchy.

2. Start-ups usually have a flatter hierarchy, so you can talk to the founders directly.

Common collocations

• strict hierarchy
• flat hierarchy
• move up the hierarchy
• corporate hierarchy
• hierarchical structure

Related terms

• chain of commandThe official line of authority in an organisation, showing who gives instructions to whom and the order in which decisions and problems move up and down.
• org chartA diagram that shows how an organisation is structured, with boxes for roles or people and lines showing who reports to whom.
• span of controlThe number of people who report directly to one manager. A wide span means many direct reports; a narrow span means only a few.
• top-downDescribes decisions, plans or management in which the people at the top decide and those below are expected to carry them out, with little input from lower levels.
• middle managementThe managers between senior leadership and front-line staff, such as department heads and regional managers, who turn strategy into daily plans and lead teams.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• hierarchy · Public Administration

More terms: Organisational Structure

• manager
• team leader
• report to
• direct report
• line manager
• senior management
• matrix structure
• silo
• headcount