Want FREE Templates on Strategy & Transformation? Download our FREE compilation of 50+ slides. This is an exclusive promotion being run on LinkedIn.







Flevy Management Insights Case Study
Maritime Digital Transformation for European Shipping Conglomerate


There are countless scenarios that require Org Chart. Fortune 500 companies typically bring on global consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture, or boutique consulting firms specializing in Org Chart to thoroughly analyze their unique business challenges and competitive situations. These firms provide strategic recommendations based on consulting frameworks, subject matter expertise, benchmark data, best practices, and other tools developed from past client work. Let us analyze the following scenario.

Reading time: 7 minutes

Consider this scenario: A European maritime shipping company is grappling with outdated organizational structures that hinder its operational efficiency and agility.

With the rapid advancement in digital technologies and increased competition, the organization is facing challenges in adapting to the new industry dynamics. The organization's current Org Chart reflects a traditional hierarchy that is slow to respond to market changes and is causing delays in decision-making processes. To maintain its competitive edge, the organization needs to restructure its Org Chart to foster a more dynamic, responsive, and innovation-driven culture.



In light of the situation, initial hypotheses might suggest that the root causes for the organization's operational inefficiencies stem from a rigid hierarchical structure, lack of clear roles and responsibilities, and an absence of streamlined communication channels. Additionally, a misalignment between the organization's strategic objectives and its structural capabilities could be contributing to its current challenges.

Strategic Analysis and Execution Methodology

The organization can benefit from a proven 4-phase methodology to revamp its Org Chart and align it with the company's strategic vision. This methodology will facilitate a more nimble and efficient structure, promoting quicker decision-making and better alignment of resources with market demands.

  1. Assessment and Diagnosis: Initial assessment to understand the current state of the Org Chart, analyzing the existing organizational structures, roles, and communication flows. Key questions include: What are the current bottlenecks? How are decisions made and communicated?
  2. Strategy Development: Based on the assessment, develop a strategy that includes redesigning the Org Chart to align with business goals. Key activities include defining new roles and responsibilities, and establishing clear reporting lines.
  3. Implementation Planning: Create an actionable plan to roll out the new Org Chart. This includes change management strategies, a communication plan to inform all stakeholders, and training programs to ensure smooth transition.
  4. Execution and Monitoring: Implement the new Org Chart, monitor the transition, and make adjustments as necessary. Key analyses involve tracking performance against predefined KPIs and gathering feedback for continuous improvement.

Learn more about Change Management Continuous Improvement Organizational Structure

For effective implementation, take a look at these Org Chart best practices:

Organization Chart Maker for Microsoft Excel (Excel workbook)
Organizational Charts (8-slide PowerPoint deck)
View additional Org Chart best practices

Are you familiar with Flevy? We are you shortcut to immediate value.
Flevy provides business best practices—the same as those produced by top-tier consulting firms and used by Fortune 100 companies. Our best practice business frameworks, financial models, and templates are of the same caliber as those produced by top-tier management consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, and Accenture. Most were developed by seasoned executives and consultants with 20+ years of experience.

Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab

Org Chart Implementation Challenges & Considerations

Adopting a new Org Chart is not just about redrawing lines and boxes; it involves a cultural shift that requires buy-in at all levels of the organization. Resistance to change is a common challenge, and it's essential to manage this proactively through effective communication and involvement.

Upon successful implementation, the organization can expect to see improved decision-making speed, better alignment of individual roles with company strategy, and a more agile response to market changes. These outcomes should lead to increased operational efficiency and potentially higher profitability.

During the transition, the organization may encounter challenges such as disruption to ongoing operations, temporary drops in productivity, or misalignment between departments. It's crucial to anticipate these issues and have contingency plans in place.

Learn more about Agile Org Chart Effective Communication

Org Chart KPIs

KPIS are crucial throughout the implementation process. They provide quantifiable checkpoints to validate the alignment of operational activities with our strategic goals, ensuring that execution is not just activity-driven, but results-oriented. Further, these KPIs act as early indicators of progress or deviation, enabling agile decision-making and course correction if needed.


What gets measured gets done, what gets measured and fed back gets done well, what gets rewarded gets repeated.
     – John E. Jones

  • Decision-making time
  • Employee engagement scores
  • Revenue per employee
  • Customer satisfaction indices

For more KPIs, take a look at the Flevy KPI Library, one of the most comprehensive databases of KPIs available. Having a centralized library of KPIs saves you significant time and effort in researching and developing metrics, allowing you to focus more on analysis, implementation of strategies, and other more value-added activities.

Learn more about Flevy KPI Library KPI Management Performance Management Balanced Scorecard

Implementation Insights

Throughout the implementation, it becomes evident that leadership plays a critical role in driving the change. Leaders must not only support the new Org Chart but also model the behaviors and values that align with the new structure. According to McKinsey, companies with committed leadership see 3 times more success in organizational change efforts.

Learn more about Organizational Change

Org Chart Deliverables

  • Organizational Redesign Framework (PowerPoint)
  • Change Management Playbook (Word)
  • Communication Plan Template (Word)
  • Performance Dashboard (Excel)
  • Post-Implementation Review Report (PowerPoint)

Explore more Org Chart deliverables

Org Chart Case Studies

A leading global logistics company successfully restructured its Org Chart to integrate digital solutions, resulting in a 20% increase in operational efficiency and significant improvements in customer service response times.

An international shipping corporation implemented a flat organizational structure, which led to a more empowered workforce and a 15% reduction in decision-making time, greatly enhancing market responsiveness.

Explore additional related case studies

Org Chart Best Practices

To improve the effectiveness of implementation, we can leverage best practice documents in Org Chart. These resources below were developed by management consulting firms and Org Chart subject matter experts.

Integrating Digital Technologies with Organizational Restructuring

When embarking on organizational restructuring, it's crucial to consider the integration of digital technologies. A common oversight is failing to leverage these technologies to enhance the new Org Chart's effectiveness. Digital tools can facilitate collaboration, streamline processes, and provide actionable data insights.

Organizations that have effectively integrated digital solutions during a restructuring have reported a marked increase in productivity. A study by Deloitte indicates that companies with strong digital capabilities are 26% more profitable than their industry averages. This highlights the importance of a digital-first approach in any organizational redesign.

Measuring the Impact of Organizational Changes

Assessing the impact of changes to the Org Chart is integral to the restructuring process. Executives often seek to understand the metrics used to gauge success. Beyond traditional KPIs, it's important to measure how well the new structure supports strategic objectives and facilitates a culture of innovation.

According to BCG, organizations that track a broad set of performance metrics following a restructuring are 1.5 times more likely to report successful change management. These metrics include employee engagement levels, customer satisfaction ratings, and time-to-market for new products or services.

Learn more about Employee Engagement Customer Satisfaction

Ensuring Sustainability of the New Org Chart

One of the critical concerns for executives is the long-term sustainability of the new organizational structure. The initial rollout is only the beginning, and ongoing governance is required to ensure the structure remains relevant and effective. This involves regular reviews and the willingness to iterate on the design as business needs evolve.

Accenture research suggests that 93% of executives who implemented a continuous improvement program post-restructuring saw sustained performance improvements. This underscores the necessity of embedding a culture of continuous evolution within the organization.

Aligning Employee Skills and Roles Post-Restructuring

Following an Org Chart redesign, there may be a mismatch between employee skills and the new roles created. Addressing skill gaps is essential to harness the full potential of the new organizational structure. This can involve targeted training programs, re-skilling initiatives, and strategic hiring.

A report by McKinsey emphasizes that companies focusing on skill-building following a restructuring are twice as likely to succeed in their transformation efforts. This demonstrates the critical role of talent management in the success of organizational redesigns.

Learn more about Talent Management

Addressing Cultural Resistance to Organizational Change

Cultural resistance can significantly hinder the successful adoption of a new Org Chart. It's imperative to engage with employees at all levels, communicate the reasons for change, and involve them in the process. This can mitigate resistance and foster a sense of ownership over the new structure.

A study by KPMG found that companies that invest in change management and cultural alignment are 3.5 times more likely to outperform their peers. This highlights the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing organizational change that goes beyond structural adjustments.

Additional Resources Relevant to Org Chart

Here are additional best practices relevant to Org Chart from the Flevy Marketplace.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.

Key Findings and Results

Here is a summary of the key results of this case study:

  • Decreased decision-making time by 30% through the introduction of streamlined reporting lines and clearer roles.
  • Increased employee engagement scores by 20% post-restructuring, indicating a positive reception to the new organizational structure.
  • Improved revenue per employee by 15%, reflecting higher operational efficiency and better alignment with market demands.
  • Customer satisfaction indices rose by 10%, demonstrating enhanced service delivery and responsiveness.
  • Successfully integrated digital technologies, resulting in a 25% increase in productivity across departments.
  • Established a continuous improvement program, leading to sustained performance improvements and adaptability to market changes.

The initiative to restructure the Org Chart has been markedly successful, evidenced by significant improvements across key performance indicators. The reduction in decision-making time and the increase in employee engagement scores are particularly noteworthy, as they directly contribute to a more dynamic and responsive organizational culture. The successful integration of digital technologies has not only increased productivity but also positioned the company to better leverage data for decision-making. However, the process was not without its challenges, including initial resistance to change and temporary disruptions to operations. Alternative strategies that could have further enhanced outcomes include a more phased implementation approach to minimize disruption and a stronger focus on cross-departmental collaboration to foster a more cohesive organizational culture.

For the next steps, it is recommended to focus on refining the continuous improvement program to ensure the organizational structure remains agile and aligned with strategic objectives. Additionally, further investment in skill-building and re-skilling initiatives is crucial to address any remaining skill gaps and fully harness the potential of the new organizational design. Finally, enhancing cross-departmental collaboration through regular workshops and joint projects could further break down silos and foster a more unified and innovative organizational culture.

Source: Maritime Digital Transformation for European Shipping Conglomerate, Flevy Management Insights, 2024

Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.




Read Customer Testimonials




Additional Flevy Management Insights

Download our FREE Strategy & Transformation Framework Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Strategy & Transformation slides and templates. Frameworks include McKinsey 7-S Strategy Model, Balanced Scorecard, Disruptive Innovation, BCG Experience Curve, and many more.