Project-Based Organizational Structure

Project-Based Organizational Structure

Use this template

Illustrative, editable whole-company structure. Adapt roles and relationships to your organization.

About this company template

Project-Based Organizational Structure is an illustrative, role-based template for an entire organization. It does not describe a named employer or require one fixed set of roles.

Project managers coordinate delivery and budgets. Specialists may still retain a functional employer, so use dotted lines and notes for project responsibility when that is the case.

Change the example to match your legal entities, operating model, decision rights and real reporting lines before sharing it.

How this project-based organizational structure works

CEO is the top node in this example. The first layer contains Project A, Project B, Shared Services, Portfolio Oversight.

Project managers coordinate delivery and budgets. Specialists may still retain a functional employer, so use dotted lines and notes for project responsibility when that is the case.

A solid connector in this editable org tree means an example reporting relationship. Ownership, advisory, service, project and partnership relationships may need a separate note or relationship type; do not treat them as another manager.

Projects A and B each show a manager, engineering, procurement and delivery. The PMO monitors the portfolio, while Finance and HR stay shared. When specialists are loaned from a function, mark project assignment as dotted responsibility rather than a second direct manager.

Lead role

1. CEO

   Example top role — Replace this label with the actual accountable role or governing body.

How to adapt this structure

The diagram makes the primary grouping and the next level of responsibility visible at a glance.

Adapt the branches to your organization and remove any managerial layer that does not exist.

Design tradeoffs

The design grouping makes the main responsibilities easy to locate.

A single-parent tree cannot fully express every cross-functional, ownership or contractual relationship.

What this chart shows

• This is an editable example, not a universal organization design.
• The top node is CEO.
• The first layer includes Project A, Project B, Shared Services.
• Project managers coordinate delivery and budgets. Specialists may still retain a functional employer, so use dotted lines and notes for project responsibility when that is the case.

Related process templates

• Project change request process flowchart (scope, cost, schedule)
• Project closure process flowchart: delivery to sign-off
• Project risk management process flowchart (register to closure)
• Project Governance Process Flowchart
• IT Consulting Project Lifecycle Flowchart

Related company structures

• Construction Company Organizational Chart
• Engineering Company Organizational Chart
• Consulting Company Organizational Chart
• PMO Organizational Chart
• Project Management Office Structure

Frequently asked questions

What does this project-based organizational structure show?

It shows one possible whole-company structure, including a top role, major groups and sample reporting lines.

Can I change the roles and reporting lines?

Yes. Open the template and replace, add or remove every role and connector to match your organization.

Does a connector always mean direct employment reporting?

No. Where a branch represents ownership, advice, service or partnership, add a clear relationship note rather than relying on the connector alone.

Use this org chart template

Open and edit this project-based organizational structure in QueryChart.

Use this template