Explain the Three-Tier Organizational Structure

In an efficient organization, an ideal structure allows communication to flow quickly and progress to be monitored and measured. Some organizations utilize the three-tier organizational structure.

Need for Structure

In any efficient organization, its structure allows oversight of the various components within. To that end, a three-tier structure has some distinct advantages.

Communication Flow

In a three-tier organization, communication usually flows from the top down, with little direct communication from the bottom tier to the top tier.

Top Tier

The top tier can be an individual, as with the pope in the Catholic Church, or it can be a group, such as a board of directors. The top tier tends to issue orders or directives.

Second Tier

The second tier serves as liaison between the top tier and the bottom tier. In most cases, the second tier consists of either managers or those who have managerial duties. The second tier monitors the progress of the orders or directives that come from the top tier.

Bottom Tier

The bottom tier usually consists of employees or workers. In any organization, the wider the base of the bottom tier, the more solid a foundation the organization has. The bottom tier follows through on any orders or directives set forth by the top tier.

References

• BLM.gov: BLM Implements Three-tier Organization
• Scribd.com: Innovation Value Chain Management - A Three-Tiers Model
• Bible.ca: The Three-Tier Hierarchy of the Roman Catholic Church