Scribd
Upload
67 views4 pages

Chain of Command

Uploaded by

narwalmanish826
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
67 views4 pages

Chain of Command

Uploaded by

narwalmanish826
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as DOC, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 4

Definition of chain of command

The chain of command in an organization can be defined as a structural hierarchy of authority. A


chain of command provides information such as who is in charge of whom? And who should report
whom?

Features and Structure


The followings are features of a chain of command.
1. Rank order
The main feature of the chain of command is the order of ranks in the organization. Different
employees are given different ranks. People with different ranks have different roles to play in the
organization. Rank order creates discipline in the organization.
2. Accountability of decisions
In a chain of command, people at different levels are given authority to make decisions. People are
also accountable for the decisions made by them. That means they will take full responsibility for
their decisions.
3. Meaning of Unity of Command
Another essential feature of the chain of command is the unity of command. The meaning of the unity
of command is that only one person can make one decision, and he has the authority to delegate his
work to others. Having the unity of command in the organization avoids the repetition of decision
making in the organization.
4. Standardized language and methods of communication for your company structure
In an organization, a standard language should be used for communication purposes among the
employees of different levels. A standard language of communication creates a formal environment in
the organization. Along with standardized language, a standardized method of communication is also
followed in an organization.
For example, a front-line manager will report to the middle manager and not directly to top-level
management. Similarly, top-level managers give their orders and instructions to middle-level
managers. A proper method of communication creates discipline in the organization and employees
know whom to approach in case of emergency without any confusion.
5. Delegation of Authority
Delegation of authority becomes easy when there is a proper chain of command in an organization.
Having a chain of command in the organization provides clarity to people to whom to give orders and
from whom to take instructions.
In this way, a senior manager can delegate his subordinates to attend a meeting on his behalf when he
is busy with some other work. Delegation of authority keeps the action moving in an organization
even when somebody is not present.
6. Levels of management
The chain of command helps in creating different levels of management in an organization. There are
three levels of management in an organization, such as top-level management, middle-level
management, and lower-level management. Each level of management plays an essential role in the
organization and has a set of duties and authorities.
For example, the role of top-level management is to decide future goals for the organization and
prepare plans and strategies to achieve those goals. The top-level management will be interested in the
result and will not get involved in the day-to-day works taking place in the organization.
Managing the employees and keeping track of the daily activities are job responsibilities the lower-
level managers.
7. Feedback rules
The last but not least feature of the chain of command is the feedback rule. The feedback rule is an
essential part of the chain of command system in an organization. The people sitting in power take
feedback from the employees working at lower levels to learn about the effectiveness of a decision.
Feedbacks helps in improving future decision making.
In addition to this, it shows that people in power care about people working at a lower level.
Feedbacks are also taken in an organization in a proper hierarchical order. For example, subordinates
will give feedback to front-line managers and not to the top-level managers.
Their complaints are solved by their immediately superior and are taken to upper management if only
the lower management is incapable of resolving those issues.

Advantages
There are several advantages of the chain of command in an organization. Because of this reason,
many organizations prefer to follow the hierarchy system over other systems. In this section, you will
learn about the different advantages of having a chain of command system in an organization.
1. In a chain of the command system, accountability and responsibilities are clearly define. Each
manager is responsible for managing and controlling a group of employees, and he is
accountable for their performance.
2. Employees of the organization have the clarity to whom to approach when they need resources
to get work done. Similarly, they know without confusion to whom to contact when they want to
provide feedback.
3. The chain of command eliminates the uncertainty of reporting. In small organizations, all
employees report to the owner of the business. But in organizations where there is a large
number of employees, it becomes difficult for one person to manage everyone. Therefore, in
such scenarios, having different people managing different works helps. Each employee has
somebody to report for his work.
4. Each employee in the organization has one boss. They report directly to their boss and ask for
assistance from their immediate boss. Each boss will have a boss to whom he is supposed to
report.
5. With the help of the chain of command, work is done quickly and efficiently as all employees
have clearly define responsibilities and authorities.
6. Similarly, the chain of command helps in fast resolution of problems. Because there is no
confusion among employees to whom to approach when a problem arises.
7. A simple structure of an organization is created using the chain of the command system. A
simple structure helps organize a large number of employees quickly.
8. Chain of command not only helpful in maintaining and controlling relationships within the
organization. It also helps in maintaining contact with customers, vendors, and shareholders.
The job title of a person will convey his authority and his role in the organization. For example,
a president or vice president is responsible for communicating with shareholders of a company,
whereas a frontline manager holds the responsibility to talk with vendors and suppliers of the
organization.
9. The chain of command creates discipline in the organization. Orders will be given by the
upper-level managers and are followed by lower-level employees and not vice versa.
10. Chain of command enhances the productivity of the organization, as all employees of the
organization have an explicit knowledge of work they supposed to do. In this way, work is done
without the wastage of time and resources.

Disadvantages
1. In the chain of the command system, the decision-making responsibilities lie in the hands of
people sitting at the top level. Top-level managers are not aware of the problems faced by
people working at a lower level, and thus, they usually decide unrealistic goals for the
organization.
2. The chain of command slows down the decision-making process because of the long chain of
hierarchy. A decision that can be quickly taken by a lower-level employee has required the
approval of upper management. For example, if an employee ran out of printing ink, he is
expected to take the permission of his immediate boss to refill the printing ink.
3. Chain of command is difficult to implement in a modern environment because, in present
times, the decisions are required to make where there is a need for a decision.
4. The chain of command creates customers’ unsatisfaction. Employees at lower levels usually
deal with customers’ complaints and problems. But because they are incapable of making the
decision themselves, they are required to take the permission of their superior before providing a
solution to customers. Because of this, delay in resolution takes place, which leaves customers
unsatisfied.

You might also like