CogMap: Your Company’s Org Chart on the Web

CogMap

CogMap is “an organization chart wiki that lets you see, edit and create organization charts for companies online.” On first blush, this is a pretty cool idea. You can see org charts and fill in blanks when you know about them. Plus, you can view data in chart, outline, or directory formats. The directory view includes columns for notes, phone numbers and e-mail addresses. As I said, on first blush it’s a cool idea. If there’s a “second blush,” though, CogMap also opens the very real possibility that HR names, numbers, and e-mail addresses will be out there for everyone to see. Maybe even yours.

Having information freely available is probably okay. But having all that info out there also could mean that companies (and HR) lose the ability to channel information flow through central services.

HR Implications and Actions:

Add CogMap to sites you monitor about company information.

Alert Management and Legal to the potential for your company’s org chart information to be on the Web.

Reiterate company policy about information flow to all employees.

I’m not trying to be a worrywart here. It’s more along the lines that a service like this makes it so that company information is easily gotten. Some companies have policies about protecting direct lines to employees. Some companies want to move customer calls through customer service. And I would guess that executives already get e-mails, but could be prepared for even more calls and correspondence if their phone numbers and e-mail addressed are published for the world to see. I’m a big fan of “forewarned is forearmed.” Being ready is always the best plan.

(Hat tip: MicroPersuasion)

Posted on November 22, 2006 by Frank Roche
Filed Under Policies, Technology