Overview

Team organization is the foundation of your Sizemotion workspace. A well-structured organization chart makes it easier to manage reviews, track growth, and understand reporting relationships.

Key Concepts

  • Departments: Top-level organizational units (Engineering, Sales, Marketing)
  • Teams: Sub-units within departments (Frontend Team, Backend Team)
  • Reporting Lines: Manager-employee relationships
  • Roles: Job titles and responsibilities

Setting Up Your Structure

Step 1: Create Departments

  1. Go to Organization > Departments
  2. Click "Add Department"
  3. Enter department name (e.g., "Engineering", "Product", "Sales")
  4. Assign a department head
  5. Add description (optional)
  6. Click "Save"

Step 2: Create Teams

  1. Within a department, click "Add Team"
  2. Enter team name (e.g., "Frontend Team", "Mobile Team")
  3. Assign a team lead/manager
  4. Add team members
  5. Set team location and time zone (if distributed)
  6. Click "Save"

Step 3: Define Reporting Relationships

  1. Go to Organization > Org Chart
  2. Click on any employee
  3. Select "Edit"
  4. Choose their manager from the dropdown
  5. The org chart updates automatically

Step 4: Visualize Your Structure

The org chart view shows:

  • Hierarchical tree: Visual reporting structure
  • Team clusters: Who works together
  • Span of control: How many direct reports each manager has
  • Department breakdown: Size and structure of each department

Managing Teams

Adding Team Members

  1. Go to the team page
  2. Click "Add Member"
  3. Search for the employee or create a new user
  4. Assign their role and start date

Moving Employees Between Teams

  1. Go to the employee's profile
  2. Click "Transfer"
  3. Select new team and manager
  4. Set effective date
  5. Add transfer notes
  6. Click "Confirm Transfer"

Team Settings

Each team can have:

  • Mission statement: Purpose and goals
  • Working hours: Core hours and time zones
  • Channels: Slack channel, email alias
  • Rituals: Standup times, sprint schedules
  • Documents: Team playbooks and resources

Roles & Permissions

Default Roles

  • Admin: Full access to all features and settings
  • HR Manager: Manage people, reviews, compensation
  • Department Head: Manage their department and teams
  • Team Lead: Manage their team members
  • Manager: Manage direct reports
  • Employee: Access their own profile and feedback

Custom Roles

Create custom roles with specific permissions:

  1. Go to Settings > Roles
  2. Click "Create Custom Role"
  3. Name the role
  4. Select permissions (view, edit, create, delete)
  5. Save and assign to users

Permission Levels

  • View: See information
  • Edit: Modify existing data
  • Create: Add new items
  • Delete: Remove items
  • Approve: Review and approve requests

Best Practices

🏗️ Structure Design

  • Keep it simple: Start with departments, add teams as needed
  • Span of control: Aim for 5-10 direct reports per manager
  • Clear hierarchy: Everyone should have one manager
  • Logical grouping: Group teams by function or product
  • Document changes: Keep history of org changes over time

👥 Team Management

  • Right size: Teams of 5-9 people are most effective
  • Ownership: Each team should have clear goals and metrics
  • Autonomy: Give teams decision-making power
  • Cross-functional: Include diverse skills when needed

🔄 Reorganizations

  • Plan ahead: Draft new structure before announcing
  • Communicate clearly: Explain why and what changes
  • Set effective dates: Give people time to transition
  • Update tools: Ensure Sizemotion reflects reality
  • Monitor impact: Check team morale and productivity

💡 Pro Tips

  • Import from HR system: Bulk upload org structure via CSV
  • Keep it updated: Review org chart monthly
  • Use tags: Tag teams by location, product, or project
  • Track history: View org changes over time
  • Export reports: Generate org charts for presentations

Common Scenarios

Scenario: New Employee Onboarding

  1. Create user account
  2. Assign to team and manager
  3. Set start date and role
  4. They automatically appear in org chart
  5. Manager gets notification

Scenario: Team Reorganization

  1. Create new team structure
  2. Move employees to new teams
  3. Update managers
  4. Communicate changes via announcement
  5. Archive old team if fully dissolved

Scenario: Promotion to Manager

  1. Update employee's role to "Manager"
  2. Assign direct reports
  3. Grant manager permissions
  4. They can now run reviews for their team

FAQ

Can someone have two managers?

In Sizemotion, each employee has one primary manager for reporting purposes. For matrix organizations, use "dotted line" managers to track secondary relationships.

How do I handle contractors or part-time workers?

Add them as team members with "Contractor" or "Part-time" designation. Set permissions to limit what they can access.

Can I import my org structure from another system?

Yes, use the CSV import feature under Settings > Import/Export. Map your fields to Sizemotion's structure.

What happens when someone leaves?

Mark them as "Inactive" or "Offboarded". Their data remains for historical purposes but they lose access. Reassign their direct reports.

Next Steps