Generate summary with AI

Having an effective IT department structure is essential to the success of your department as well as your organization as a whole. In this article, we will dive into the ins and outs of IT department structure and discuss key roles in an IT department, common IT department management challenges, and best practices to keep your IT department running smoothly. 

The importance of IT department structure

You might have an incredible IT department with amazingly skilled technical workers – but without a strong IT department organizational structure, you may not be setting your team up for success. It is crucial to have an optimally set up IT organizational structure in order to promote the most efficiency and functionality within your team. 

The structure of an IT department allows each individual team member to know the parameters of their unique position, who to report to and when, and what common goals the team is working toward. In this article, we will dive into the ideal IT org chart, modern IT department structure concerns, common IT department roles, and so much more. 

Key components of an IT department structure

An IT department has a number of key players – and these individuals support the company as a whole in ensuring that operations run smoothly. IT departments have three main areas of responsibility, which include managing the company’s corporate systems, maintaining network infrastructure, and ensuring all systems remain functional. To do these jobs, IT teams work with hardware and software that facilitates their goals. 

So who’s who in your IT department – and how do people in each of these roles work together? 

Executive leadership

At any company, executive leadership is at the top of the food chain. These roles might include people like the organization’s CEO (chief executive officer), CFO (chief financial officer), or – in the case of publicly traded companies – the board. Ultimately, all decisions reflect back on executive leadership, and these are the people who have the broadest decision-making scope.  

IT management

Management in the IT department can include roles like the company’s Chief Information Officer (CIO), the IT director, and the IT manager. The CIO is often the person in charge of developing and overseeing a company’s AI strategy or strategy as a whole. Under them, the IT director and IT manager have more granular jobs. 

The IT director may manage the overall IT department, meaning that they are in charge of overseeing IT projects and budgets. The IT manager, on the other hand, is in a more people-oriented role and is tasked with supervising IT teams and implementing policies.

IT organization hierarchy

Caption: Example of an IT department hierarchy chart


Network and infrastructure team

With a well-organized IT department, there are a number of different sub-teams. The network and infrastructure team is one such piece of a typical corporate IT structure. Roles within this team might include a network administrator, a network engineer, and a systems administrator.

Typically, these individuals are tasked with optimizing network performance and troubleshooting IT issues. They might apply tactics like network discovery, enabling a comprehensive overview of all end-user networks and devices. 

Development and software team

The development and software team is tasked with developing software applications and systems. Typical roles include software developer, quality assurance analyst, and DevOps engineer. These individuals make sure new software meets quality requirements and make processes more efficient. They also might handle tasks like patch management

Support and helpdesk

The technical support team is a crucial piece of any IT department structure. A help desk technician is someone who will provide support to end users who need assistance with hardware and software issues. For larger companies, this team often relies on advanced tickets and helpdesk systems as part of PSA software packages. 

Cybersecurity team

Finally, we cannot forget about the cybersecurity team. A security analyst is someone who monitors the company’s entire infrastructure, looking out for suspicious activity and responding if malevolent actors make a move. A security engineer works to design security policies that better protect the company’s systems and data. 

Build an effective IT department structure

As you read about the different roles with a typical IT department structure, you will notice a triangle pattern: There are fewer people in leadership roles and more people in general team roles that report to a higher-up.

IT department structure

Caption: Human resource allocation on an IT org chart


While it’s crucial not to have the proverbial “too many cooks in the kitchen” (i.e. too many people in charge to make any decisions), it’s also important to promote individual ambition and allow room for growth in your IT department structure. 

Creating an IT department structure is one thing, but building an effective IT department structure is another. Here are a few tips to create a robust IT department: 

  • Assess organizational needs: Before you invent IT roles, look at what your organization’s priorities are. From there, decide which roles must be filled immediately and which ones can be a priority down the line. 
  • Define roles and responsibilities: Now that you know what is essential for your IT team, create clearly defined profiles of each role. List out the responsibilities for each role as well as quantifiable metrics defining what success looks like (this will also help with IT performance reviews down the line). 
  • Hire the right talent: Building a strong IT department that will be efficient and effective starts with getting the right talent in the room. Make sure that you have allocated resources to offer competitive salary and benefits packages, and distribute your job posting across well-known sites like LinkedIn, Glassdoor, and others. 
  • Establish processes and workflows: The best IT departments are run by capable individuals and have established processes in place so that everyone knows how their work should move through your system. Using task management tools or advanced ticketing systems is a great way to help with this. 

Challenges in managing an IT department

Of course, we’ll never claim that managing an IT department is easy! There are plenty of challenges that can arise, and it is important to be aware of them as you create your IT department structure. Here are a few common concerns that arise… 

  • Resource allocation: It’s crucial to plan a comprehensive budget for your IT department to ensure you are prepared for the expected (and unexpected) costs that might come your way. Investing in a software tool that offers smart automation capabilities can be a great way to reduce costs on the whole. 
  • Technological advancements: As you manage your IT structure organization, you will want to ensure that you promote ongoing learning and professional development to ensure your team stays up to date with technological advancements. 
  • Cybersecurity: For an organization, security should be a top priority. Dedicating a team to cybersecurity needs is an important piece of maintaining your organization’s trust and reliability and keeping malware or malevolent actors at bay. 
  • Smooth communication and collaboration: Creating established workflows and processes is one component of smooth communication and collaboration. When everyone knows the clear expectations and goals of the IT department, your team can work together better than ever. 

Best practices for optimizing IT department structure

Knowing these challenges, how can you best set up your IT department for success? Well, there are a few best practices that are must-know factors for any IT leader: 

  • Regular training and development: Ensuring everyone stays up to date on the latest developments in the IT world is crucial. Holding regular training and development opportunities, such as team viewings of webinars about AI developments in IT, is a great way to ensure your team is at the forefront of the IT world. 
  • IT automation and management tools: You can help your team be their most efficient and most effective with smart tools and technology. For instance, Atera offers IT software with automation for patch management, scripting, and more. This allows our programs to take care of the busy work while your IT pros focus on more complex tasks!
  • Collaboration and communication: Ensuring your team is on the same page is crucial to IT department success. Collaborating and learning from others is a great way to build your team’s confidence and trust. Some programs, like Atera, offer a robust live community to improve communication and learning opportunities. 

How Atera can help ease IT department struggles

Many of the challenges in managing and organizing an IT department can be addressed through the use of advanced software tools that bring multi-functional efficiency and capabilities to your time. For instance, consider a product like Atera that includes RMM solution, IT automation abilities, helpdesk and ticketing, network discovery, and so much more. 

When you invest in a top-of-the-line product like Atera, you are setting up your IT department for success. With a full suite of tools coupled with an intuitive dashboard, your team will be ready to roll in just minutes. Atera is easy to learn, easy to use, and easy to live with – it is sure to make your organization’s IT work better than ever. Plus, advanced reporting means that you will easily be able to show progress and demonstrate your team’s value. What’s not to love? 

Streamline your operations with Atera

A well-structured IT department is essential to your success and efficiency. When you are looking to optimize your IT department and ensure a productive and effective team, look no further than Atera. Atera offers a wide range of solutions to enhance overall efficiency and will minimize busy work to ensure every team member is well-utilized. Explore Atera’s suite of solutions today – and when you are ready to explore the world of Atera, reach out to our sales team to enjoy a 30-day trial on us, no credit card needed. Get started today.

Frequently Asked Questions

Was this helpful?

Related Articles

Free IT asset inventory management software: Is it worth it?

Read now

The 8 best business routers for IT teams

Read now

40 IT Stats for 2025: an inside look at the numbers behind IT

Read now

Best IT certifications: Learn how to upskill for the role you want

Read now

Endless IT possibilities

Boost your productivity with Atera’s intuitive, centralized all-in-one platform