logo

Project Hierarchy Structure

 
Knowledge Center

Program and Project Management

Forum Discussion

Rating

Denis Schmidt Denis Schmidt
Project Manager, Luxembourg
13
Project Hierarchy Structure
Hello, to close a long discussion between management and my PMO, could you please tell me if a document exists to demonstrate the hierarchy within a project? Between a project manager, a project coordinator, business analyst, sponsor, wholesaler... Who supervises whom? Thank you.

X

Join 12manage

It's free

Welcome to the forums of 12manage. In this discussion we exchange ideas about Project Hierarchy Structure.

Sign up and discover more than 900 centers about management and business administration.

or

Log in

 

Rating

  EL RHATRIF Abderrahmane EL RHATRIF Abderrahmane, Morocco
 
2
No Generic Project Hierarchy
Hello, there is no general answer to you question, applicable to all cases.
Each project has its own management plan, defining specific procedure, roles and responsibilities of the project team members, as well as the relationships/interactions between all contributors and stakeholders.

  John M Gushue John M Gushue, United States
 
5
Triangular Project Hierarchy Structure
Sponsor is at top of a triangle. He is supported by a Project Manager who directs the Project Coordinator.
A Business Analyst is a satellite outside the pyramid, feeding information to both the Sponsor and the Project Manager, while not reporting to either as the analyst provides information that the Sponsor and Project Manager weigh with other information when making project decisions.

  David Wilson David Wilson
Manager, Canada
 
2
Project Structures have many Variations
Hi Denis: while I have a preference for how projects should be structured, I do not think there is one answer. It will depend upon the organization and the project:
- As noted by John Gushue, a Project Manager can report to the Sponsor. However, it is also possible that the Project Manager could report to the IT organization (CIO, IT Director, or another designated IT manager/director). The PM may or may not report to the client/sponsor, unless he is the Project Champion
- The Project Coordinator could report to the PMO, but may also report to the Project Manager. The Sponsor is normally the head of the business area.
Sorry if this response is not very clear, but I hope you understand that there is no general answer. Have you ever used the British Computer Society job profiles?

  Artem Shahbazyan Artem Shahbazyan
Manager, Armenia
 
4
Situational Hierarchy Model
According to the Theory of Situational Control (Fiedler) there is not best leadership/management method for solving all situations' problems. Every situation requires it's own best way of solving it.
Situational Hierarchy (SH) is a method in the shape of a circle. The manager of the organization is in the center, but he/she is not the leader for all situations.
It works as follows: "a circle unites all points, every point is a different situation and every situation has a different problem, each problem has it's method of solving the problem, and each method has it's "manager" and the manager is the one who is suggesting the method of solving a problem. And the manager who is on the center only follows the one who is the manager of the situation. SH is for short term projects, but also can be used for long term projects: it depends on the type of task. The main task of the manager of organization is to give a name for the situation and the team is selected by the manager of the situation.

  Ivy Ivy
Teacher, Netherlands
 
2
Structure of a Typical Large Project Hierarchy
A typical large project hierarchy to manage complex, multifaceted projects involves multiple people, departments, teams, and stakeholders. The hierarchy ensures that the project can be efficiently man (...)

View all comments


 

Leave a comment





Participate
More on Program and Project Management
Methods, Models and Theories
Forum
topic The Most Important Thing in Project Management: the Word MANAGEMENT
topic The 4C's of an Ideal Project Manager
topic Criteria for a Program versus Multiple Projects?
topic Best Practice: Five Crucial Project Conversations
topic Project Management Basics
topic Project Success Factors
topic Project Transition Into the Operational Activities
topic How to Convert a Project into a Road Map for Product Development?
topic Project Downsizing Approaches
topic Leadership in Project Management
topic Project Lessons Learned: the Post-Project Evaluation
topic Build Project Support First!
topic Managing Delays of Projects Caused by Owner
topic Effective Project Communication and Teamwork
topic Agile Project Management Methods
topic Creating Ownership in the Project Team
topic Project Manager versus Business Analyst
topic Why Project Management? Importance
topic Are Project Managers Born or Made?
topic Project Management Reporting
topic Project Manager Soft Skills
👀Project Hierarchy Structure
topic Cultural Factors in Project Management
topic Objectives of Project Management?
topic Priority: Deliver the Project
topic Project Expectation Management
topic Project Management Office Trends
topic How to Prepare Project Reviews?
topic The Use of Mobile Devices in Project Management
topic National Public Projects Implementation System (NPPIS)
🔥 How to Select Project Management Software


Participate
More on Program and Project Management
Methods, Models and Theories
Forum
topic The Most Important Thing in Project Management: the Word MANAGEMENT
topic The 4C's of an Ideal Project Manager
topic Criteria for a Program versus Multiple Projects?
topic Best Practice: Five Crucial Project Conversations
topic Project Management Basics
topic Project Success Factors
topic Project Transition Into the Operational Activities
topic How to Convert a Project into a Road Map for Product Development?
topic Project Downsizing Approaches
topic Leadership in Project Management
topic Project Lessons Learned: the Post-Project Evaluation
topic Build Project Support First!
topic Managing Delays of Projects Caused by Owner
topic Effective Project Communication and Teamwork
topic Agile Project Management Methods
topic Creating Ownership in the Project Team
topic Project Manager versus Business Analyst
topic Why Project Management? Importance
topic Are Project Managers Born or Made?
topic Project Management Reporting
topic Project Manager Soft Skills
👀Project Hierarchy Structure
topic Cultural Factors in Project Management
topic Objectives of Project Management?
topic Priority: Deliver the Project
topic Project Expectation Management
topic Project Management Office Trends
topic How to Prepare Project Reviews?
topic The Use of Mobile Devices in Project Management
topic National Public Projects Implementation System (NPPIS)
🔥 How to Select Project Management Software
Knowledge Center

Program and Project Management



About 12manage | Advertising | Link to us / Cite us | Privacy | Suggestions | Terms of Service
© 2026 12manage - The Executive Fast Track. V17.3 - Last updated: 29-4-2026. All names ™ of their owners.