A traditional approach of organising staff into different functions with levels that represent the power they have in the organisation. The people at the top of the hierarchy have the most decision-making power and orders are passed down to different levels through the chain of command.

Benefits

• Clear chain of command

• Clear progression route for promotion

• Specialisation

• Clear understanding of roles of responsibilities

• Narrow span of control - close supervision

Limitations

• Poor flexibility

• Communication issues

• Siloed view

• Centralised decision making

• Bureaucracy

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