Chain of command

A chain of command is an ordered structure of authority in which responsibility and directives pass through defined levels of an organization.

Organizational hierarchy: An arrangement of people or groups into levels of authority and responsibility. A chain of command is the authority structure within a broader hierarchy.
Military organization: The arrangement of armed forces into units, roles, and levels of authority. Military forces use formal command lines to coordinate personnel and operations.
Informal organization: The unofficial relationships and patterns of cooperation that emerge among people in an organization. Informal influence can bypass or reshape the official reporting structure.
Accountability: The obligation to explain decisions and accept responsibility for their outcomes. Defined authority makes it easier to identify who must answer for decisions.
Delegation: The assignment of authority or responsibility by one person to another. Managers pass work and decision-making authority down the chain.
Incident Command System: A standardized framework for managing personnel and resources during emergency incidents. It establishes a scalable command structure across agencies responding to an incident.
Flat organization: An organizational design with few management layers between leaders and employees. Fewer levels shorten the chain and concentrate broader responsibilities in each manager.
Organizational communication: The exchange of information among people and groups within an organization. Orders and reports travel along formal channels shaped by the command structure.
Span of control: The number of people or units directly supervised by one manager. It shapes how many reporting links separate leaders from frontline teams.
Corporate governance: The systems by which organizations are directed, controlled, and held accountable. Corporate authority connects executives, managers, boards, and employees through distinct channels.

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