A new report from OrgChart, a leading provider of workforce planning and organizational chart software, highlights a pressing challenge for human resources leaders: a lack of visibility into their organizational structure and data. According to The State of HR Visibility and Insight report, 88% of HR leaders in the U.S. are facing visibility and planning issues, and many are now prioritizing investments in tools that solve these problems.
The survey, conducted with over 400 HR professionals across the United States, paints a clear picture: despite the abundance of data available, HR teams continue to rely heavily on outdated methods such as spreadsheets and manually created org charts to track headcount, structure, and performance metrics.
Key Findings from the Report
- 47% of HR leaders said they lacked visibility into their current organizational structure or open positions.
- 40% reported difficulty tracking success metrics or key performance indicators (KPIs) related to organizational change.
- 27% had challenges with headcount planning.
- 50% of HR teams spend over 5 hours a month updating org charts manually.
- 43% use static tools like PowerPoint or Visio to create org charts.
These manual and time-consuming processes often lead to outdated charts, inefficiencies, and lost opportunities for strategic workforce planning.
The Demand for Modern HR Planning Tools
The report also found that HR professionals are ready to make a change. As digital transformation continues to shape the workplace, HR teams are increasingly seeking tools that consolidate data, streamline planning, and provide real-time insights into their organizations.
- 68% of HR leaders say tools that bring all HR data into one centralized platform are highly valuable.
- 72% value tools that can track and compare organizational plans and related metrics.
- 84% plan to invest more in tools that enhance visibility and insight.
According to Tom McCarty, CEO of OrgChart, “HR teams have more data than ever before—but without the right tools, that data goes underutilized. What’s encouraging is how many HR leaders are ready to address visibility issues and embrace smarter solutions for workforce planning.”
Why Visibility Matters More Than Ever
In today’s fast-paced work environment, HR plays a central role in both supporting employees and driving strategic business decisions. Limited visibility not only hinders day-to-day operations but also affects long-term planning, from talent acquisition to succession planning.
Effective HR visibility and planning tools help eliminate guesswork, enable better forecasting, and support more agile decision-making. When HR teams can visualize their entire organization—complete with open roles, team structures, and performance indicators—they are better equipped to support growth, identify risks, and improve employee experiences.
Conclusion
The shift away from spreadsheets and static org charts is already underway. As visibility challenges continue to impact organizational effectiveness, forward-thinking HR leaders are embracing new tools that offer centralized data, real-time updates, and strategic insights. The future of HR visibility is digital, and the time to invest is now.
