Someone remarked, probably thrusting their index finger in the air, with the joy of pride and discovery, “Network maps are the new org charts!”

Org charts ARE network maps. They are a simple hub and spoke structure. Just turn the traditional org chart on it side.

orgnet.com

Rather unbelievable how limited network comprehension is and how slow people gain a network mindset. it is a real problem.

Changing the org chart, moving the nodes and connections, in an effort to improve performance, is primitive org/social network analysis (SNA).

People are often dismissive of the org chart. However, organizational hub and spoke network configurations are critical for continuity, resource allocation, governance and so forth. Org charts are often the formal networks of the organization.

Network neophytes then discover the informal networks. They make vague claims like this "value creation process" to describe the benefits of informal networks.

They make other odd remarks like, “…organizations are harder to draw using the traditional graphs and org charts."  Hunh?

Traditional graphs are fine, what's needed are new network structures. New topologies that elaborate the informal networks help achieve deeper comprehension and positive outcomes.

Thing is, most managers already have a basic network mapping vocabulary through org charts. What they need is new structures, patterns and network mindset.