Modeling Organizational Structures in UML

Abstract

Organizational diagrams — tools so valuable and basic as to exist at almost every level within an organization — express organization structures. However, many organizational diagrams fail to properly support the organizations at a strategic level. What has been missing is a formalized and unified language to model the structures so that decision makers can understand the different diagrams correctly, effectively communicate organization structures with stakeholders, and make strategic moves accordingly. This paper proposes the application of an extended UML, Unified Modeling Language. UML is a well-accepted standard visual language that can be used throughout the development process, from early requirements to implementation. In this paper, we also provide a case study to illustrate the applications of UML in organizational diagrams. We believe the resourceful UML and its ready-made tools can enhance organizational diagrams, taking them to a level at which all strategic stakeholders can work collaboratively and efficiently.