How to Choose an Organizational Chart Maker for HR Teams & Growing Companies

March 13, 2025

12:10 PM

By Jen Taylor

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Organizational chart maker

Still using spreadsheets to manage your organizational structures? Eager to modernize this cumbersome and time-consuming process?

Automated organizational chart makers streamline everything from initial setup to ongoing maintenance, helping you achieve visual clarity and improved decision-making through dynamic, real-time updates. 

Why Mid-Sized and Large Companies Need an Org Chart Generator

For companies exceeding 100 employees, the sheer complexity of organizational structures necessitates the use of advanced, automated tools. An org chart generator becomes indispensable for maintaining clarity and efficiency as businesses scale.

The Challenges of Managing Workforce Structure in 100+ Employee Companies

Mid-sized and large companies face unique challenges that smaller businesses can often avoid. Leveraging an effective org chart maker is crucial for navigating obstacles, such as:

  • Managing Complex Organizational Structures: Spreadsheets become increasingly untenable as the workforce grows.
  • Keeping Org Charts Updated: A constant, time-consuming task that can greatly burden HR teams.
  • Lack of Real-Time Visibility: Without automated tools, leaders lack insights into team structures, negatively impacting efficiency and performance.
  • Complex Reporting Lines: Matrix structures and other intricate reporting relationships complicate onboarding and management.
  • Difficulties in Onboarding: Large, diverse organizations face unique onboarding challenges, especially when HR leaders have to relay the nuances of various positions, reporting structures, and departments.

Why Spreadsheets & Manual Org Charts Fail at Scale

Most business leaders agree that HR professionals are best-suited for strategic tasks. Yet, according to SHRM, a staggering 73% of HR leaders report that a majority of their workload is still administrative or process-focused.

This demanding workload makes manual org chart maintenance unsustainable. Consider the immense initial effort and ongoing upkeep required to manually update these charts. HR teams spend valuable time manually inputting and deleting employee information, creating a significant risk of errors, bottlenecks, and delays that hinder organizational agility and performance. 

Without integration with HR software, manually conducting workforce updates is impossible, resulting in countless hours of lost productivity. 

So, the real question becomes: How do you automate org chart updates when employees join, leave, or get promoted? 

An automated organizational chart generator provides the solution, seamlessly integrating with HR systems for real-time updates – freeing up your team for more important tasks.

How an Org Chart Maker Solves HR Challenges

For HR professionals juggling numerous responsibilities, an efficient organizational chart maker is more than just a tool – it’s a lifeline. In fact, a 2023 report showed 83% of HR leaders cited a lack of HR technology as a major challenge to success.

Automated organizational chart makers transform time-consuming, error-prone tasks into streamlined, strategic processes that catalyze even more positive outcomes across the organization.

Automated Updates & Real-Time Workforce Changes

Automated organizational chart makers can dynamically reflect employee changes – new hires, promotions, departures – and significantly reduce the workload on your HR team.

Seamless integration with HR tools like payroll, performance management, and ATS systems allows an organizational chart builder to perform tasks that would normally consume hours or even days if performed manually. These tasks are completed with greater accuracy in mere seconds. 

Such automation frees up your HR team to focus on strategic initiatives, rather than tedious administrative tasks.

Better Workforce Planning & Succession Mapping

Organizational chart makers facilitate clear reporting structures, enabling better workforce planning and team alignment. 

Visual org charts and reporting lines also improve decision-making, providing a comprehensive overview of the organization’s structure. This clarity is essential for identifying talent gaps, planning for future needs, and developing effective succession strategies.

Enhanced Collaboration Between HR & Leadership  

An organizational structure chart maker enhances collaboration between HR and leadership by providing real-time access to accurate organizational data. 

When using an advanced org chart maker like OrgChart, real-time collaboration features – coupled with best-in-class exporting options for PDF and PowerPoint – enable easy sharing and discussion among HR, department heads, and leadership teams. 

As a result, improved communication facilitates significantly faster, more informed decisions.

Improving Onboarding with Clear Reporting Structures

HR teams can optimize reporting structures with an org chart builder, classifying and filtering various reporting relationships for instant clarity. 

Tools like OrgChart provide an interactive experience, making it easier for HR to understand the nuances of any position. This streamlined process ensures new hires receive accurate information from day one, leading to quicker integration and greater success. 

According to an onboarding survey by Glassdoor, new hires who were involved in a “highly effective” onboarding experience were 18X more likely to feel committed to their organization.

When new hires have a clear understanding of how they fit within the organization, they can be more successful, faster. Utilizing an org chart generator ensures a smoother, more efficient onboarding experience, saving time, money, and resources for the organization.

Key Features to Look for in an Organizational Chart Builder for HR

Choosing the right organizational chart maker is crucial for HR teams seeking efficiency and strategic insights. While many diagramming tools exist, the best org chart software is specifically designed for HR-related tasks.

Integration with HRIS, Payroll & ATS

The most advantageous org chart tools integrate seamlessly with HR systems like your HRIS, payroll, and ATS. This feature is a must for teams looking to truly automate and streamline the entire org chart process. 

Look for integrations that are built-in and automatically updated via APIs, rather than relying on manual updates via CSV files or other less convenient methods. Not all org chart software enables such automatic integrations, making this a critical point of differentiation.

Drag-and-Drop Customization

A user-friendly interface is essential for any organizational chart generator. While all tools require a learning curve, it should never hinder efficiency or time-to-value. 

Many organizational chart makers offer drag-and-drop functionalities, but extensive customization capabilities – brand colors, reporting line styles, relevant information displays – are less common. 

The combination of easy drag-and-drop functionality alongside robust customization is a differentiator we are proud to offer here at OrgChart. 

This pairing democratizes org chart creation while also ensuring a sophisticated and professional look.

Permission Controls for HR, Executives & Employees

Permission controls are vital for HR, executives, and employees. Without them, sensitive organizational information is at risk. Such controls are difficult or impossible to implement effectively with manual or spreadsheet-based methods. 

An organizational chart builder with granular permission settings ensures that only authorized personnel can access and modify specific data, safeguarding confidentiality and maintaining data integrity.

Workforce Insights & Analytics

Leading organizational chart makers provide unmatched data insights and analytics, drastically improving organizational decision-making and agility. 

These tools offer built-in analytics and perspectives, or, they can be fortified with information from external data sources.

With such insights readily available, HR teams can identify trends, forecast workforce needs, and make data-driven decisions that drive organizational success.

Benefits of OrgChart’s Organizational Chart Maker

What features matter most to you? Seamless integration with your HR tech stack? Customizable to your organization’s needs? Visibility into your workforce? 

All of these features (and more) are a click away in OrgChart. 

OrgChart is an organizational chart maker that redefines the way you craft and visualize organizational structures. 

By integrating real-time data into visually compelling, customizable org charts, it not only simplifies the creation process but also equips HR teams with valuable insights to support data-driven decision-making. An invaluable tool in the modern HR toolbox!

With OrgChart, you’re not just automating chart creation; you’re revolutionizing the way you manage and understand your organization’s structure. 

Streamlined Org Chart Creation

Pull data from various sources (HRIS, ATS, and more), eliminating the need for manual entry. This buys back more time for strategic HR initiatives – like talent development and retention – rather than getting bogged down in administrative tasks.

Dynamic Updates

Maintain an accurate representation of your organizational structure with real-time updates. OrgChart automatically adjusts for new hires, promotions, and department changes, so you can be confident that your org charts are completely up-to-date. 

Visual Clarity and Accessibility

Create org charts that are easy to understand and visually engaging with customizable templates and interactive design features. Employees can quickly grasp hierarchies, roles, and reporting relationships, reducing misunderstandings and fostering a more efficient workflow. 

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Spot less obvious trends and opportunities, and make better decisions about workforce planning and development. OrgChart consolidates various data points (e.g., performance metrics, employee demographics) into the org chart maker. 

Step-by-Step: How to Create an Org Chart for a Growing Company

Navigating the uncertainties and ambitions of a growing company demands precise organizational clarity. This step-by-step guide equips you with best practices for leveraging an organizational chart maker to meet your evolving needs.

Step 1 – Import Employee Data from Your HR Software

The foundation of effective organizational planning lies in data. With an organizational chart maker like OrgChart, you can seamlessly integrate salary insights, time-to-retirement projections, and other crucial workforce data. 

By connecting directly to your HRIS, ATS, and payroll systems, you can ensure your charts are always current and data-driven, enabling faster, more informed decisions.

Step 2 – Define Reporting Lines & Hierarchies

Pre-built templates are helpful, but many growing companies require custom frameworks. OrgChart empowers you to visualize intricate matrix structures and departmental hierarchies, ensuring every reporting relationship is clearly defined. 

This level of detail is essential for effective workforce planning and strategic alignment. 

Step 3 – Customize with Colors, Roles & Department Labels

Enhance usability and understanding by customizing your charts with colors, roles, and department labels. These customizations ensure your charts are not only informative but also visually aligned with your company’s identity.

OrgChart offers granular customization options, allowing you to capture the true essence of your brand and organizational structure. 

Step 4 – Share & Collaborate with Leadership & Teams

Sharing your org charts effectively is paramount. Many HR professionals encounter challenges with document formats, lost details, or paywall-restricted file types. 

OrgChart addresses these issues with best-in-class exporting capabilities. Easily export your charts in PDF and PowerPoint formats, preserving every detail and ensuring seamless sharing. 

Enterprise vs. Small Business Org Chart Builder Tools – What’s the Difference?

Understanding the distinctions between basic and enterprise-level org chart tools is crucial for selecting the right solution as your company grows. Here, we will highlight key differences and advanced features that set enterprise tools apart.

Advanced Features Needed for 100+ Employee Companies

Basic org charts, often sufficient for small businesses, typically focus on simple hierarchical visualizations. They serve to clarify basic reporting lines. 

Enterprise-level org charts for companies with 100+ employees require significantly more sophistication. These tools must handle complex structures (such as matrix reporting) and diverse departmental nuances. Advanced features include:

  • Automation: Real-time updates from HRIS, ATS, and payroll systems to eliminate manual data entry.
  • Data-Driven Insights: Integration of performance metrics, salary data, and other workforce analytics for informed decision-making.
  • Layered and Filtered Views: Ability to segment and analyze organizational data based on departments, locations, or other criteria.
  • Workforce Planning Tools: Features for succession planning, talent gap analysis, and future workforce projections.
  • Employee Development Features: Tracking skills, training, and career paths within the organizational structure.

These features are essential for managing the complexities of larger organizations and are often unnecessary for smaller businesses with simpler structures.

How Enterprise Org Charts Improve Decision-Making

Enterprise organization chart markers provide a comprehensive, data-rich view of the organization. Unlike basic org charts, which offer limited static information, enterprise tools enable dynamic analysis and strategic planning.

  • Enhanced Visibility: Real-time data and layered views provide a clear understanding of organizational dynamics, aiding in identifying bottlenecks and inefficiencies.
  • Strategic Planning: Workforce planning features enable proactive talent management, succession planning, and resource allocation.
  • Data-Driven Decisions: Analytics and reporting capabilities support informed decisions based on performance metrics, employee demographics, and other relevant data.
  • Improved Agility: Dynamic updates and real-time insights allow organizations to quickly adapt to changing market conditions and internal shifts.

In contrast, relying on basic org charts or manual methods can lead to outdated information, limited insights, and reactive decision-making. 

Advanced organizational chart makers enable organizations to leverage their workforce data for strategic advantage, improving agility and performance.

How to Automate Your Organizational Chart for Real-Time Updates

An organizational chart maker with robust automation capabilities ensures your charts reflect the most current organizational structure. Let’s discuss some specifics about how to automate your org charts.

Syncing Org Chart Software with HRIS & Payroll Systems

To automate data transfers, your chosen org chart maker should seamlessly sync with your HRIS and payroll systems. While initial setup is required to establish a secure connection, you should then be able to schedule automatic updates or initiate them on demand. 

This ensures your organizational chart is always up-to-date with the latest employee information, including new hires, promotions, and departmental changes.

Using Automation to Update Workforce Changes

When workforce changes occur, your org chart maker should automatically reflect these updates across the entire chart. Instead of manual adjustments, the software should update positions, reporting lines, and any subsequent effects on budgeting, resource allocation, headcount, and span of control. 

Having comprehensive automation ensures your org chart remains a reliable source of truth for all organizational data.

Try Our Organizational Chart Maker for HR Today!

  • Extremely easy to implement and use. Easy and fast to create charts, allowing the information to be always updated and even better, customised.

    Carolina F.,

    Sales Operations Lead

    Read more reviews on OrgChart’s G2 profile

  • The only comprehensive Org Chart software! Easy to set up templates, upload information, and build comprehensive charts. We have used the software to understand the span of control and ultimately organizational design.

    Jillian P.,

    Head of Talent Acquisition & Onboarding Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

    Read more reviews on OrgChart’s G2 profile

  • OrgChart creates a perfect org chart that’s easy to update every time. Saves battling with MS Visio every time there a staffing change.

    Leo C.,

    Managing Director Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

    Read more reviews on OrgChart’s G2 profile

  • Connects directly to our HRIS and updates on a normal cadence — we choose daily. You can also update as needed. Took several hours a month of org chart planning off of our plates … the ROI in terms of time spent is fantastic.

    Verified User in Pharmaceuticals,

    Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

    Read more reviews on OrgChart’s G2 profile

  • Amazingly easy to implement. Easy and fast to create charts, allowing the information to be always updated and even better, customized.

    Carolina F.,

    Small Business

    Read more reviews on OrgChart’s G2 profile

  • OrgChart is taking our very manual org chart creation and making it easier to make changes. We were also able to easily add the new photos we took of all employees.

    Jacqueline W.,

    Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

    Read more reviews on OrgChart’s G2 profile

  • It’s great for seeing our entire organization in a few clicks.

    Jason G.,

    Enterprise (> 1000 emp.)

    Read more reviews on OrgChart’s G2 profile