Chain of command definition
/What is the Chain of Command?
The chain of command is the official order in which authority is delegated down from top management to employees. It clarifies who is empowered to make decisions and who must be approached for permission to engage in an activity. The system is designed so that instructions are issued by management to employees, who are required to follow the mandated instructions.
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Advantages of the Chain of Command
A strong chain of command tends to result in an efficient organization, where resources are precisely targeted at the goals established by senior management.
Disadvantages of the Chain of Command
Use of a chain of command does not always result in an effective organization, since dispersing decision-making lower in the organization is more likely to result in decision-making that can react quickly to local conditions.
Example of the Chain of Command
The perfect example of the chain of command is the military, where decision-making is concentrated at the top of the organizational structure.