Which type of line in an organizational chart represents a coordinating relationship?

In organizational charts, a dotted line represents a coordinating relationship between two positions or departments. This type of line indicates that while there is a connection or interaction between these entities, it does not imply a direct reporting or hierarchical relationship. Instead, it suggests that the roles or departments work collaboratively or share responsibilities in certain areas without having formal authority over each other.

For example, a manager might have a solid line of authority over their direct reports, represented by a solid line, while a project team member reporting to another department might be linked by a dotted line to indicate that they have a collaborative role without direct supervisory authority. This visual representation effectively communicates the nature of relationships within the organization, helping to clarify roles and responsibilities among different teams and individuals.

The other choices, such as box lines and solid lines, typically represent direct reporting relationships, while a wavy line is not commonly used in standard organizational chart conventions, making the dotted line the clear choice for illustrating a coordinating relationship.