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Connecting Yourself and Others with Dotted Line Relationships

Dotted Line Relationships represent your relationships with others in your company. Learn more about how they work!

K
Written by Kiah Davis
Updated over 8 months ago

What are dotted line relationships?

A dotted line relationship is the working relationship a person has with someone else within their organization that is outside of their normal reporting structure. For instance, if you are working with someone to complete a special project but the person you report to for that work isn't on your immediate team or line of command then they could be represented by a dotted line relationship.

What are the different types of dotted line relationships available?

Sift recognizes that relationships can be both linear and cross-functional so we designed our dotted line relationships to reflect those scenarios. To allow for more diverse representation, Sift offers 3 different types of dotted line relationships:

Dotted Line Managers - you report to someone who isn't your direct manager

Dotted Line Reports - you manage someone who isn't your direct report

Dotted Line Teammates -you are working cross-functionally with someone who is outside of your normal team

How do I create a dotted line relationship in Sift?

Creating a dotted line relationship is easy and can be done from either your Org Chart or a from a Sift Profile.

From the Org Chart you will want to:

  1. Click on the "Add/Edit" button inside of the Org Chart toolbar

  2. Select "Add/Edit Dotted Line Relationships"

  3. Search for the person you would like to set a dotted line relationship with

  4. Add details about your relationship

  5. Click "Save and Create"

From a Sift Profile you will want to:

  1. Click on the "Edit" pencil icon next to the type of relationship you would like to add

  2. Select "Add Relationship"

  3. Search for the person you would like to see a dotted line relationship with

  4. Add details about your relationship

  5. Click "Save and Create"

How do I edit or delete a dotted line relationship in Sift?

Maybe you finished working on a project together or the dynamics of your relationship with someone at your organization changes and you want to update your dotted line relationship. Here's how you can edit or delete a dotted line relationship.

From the Org Chart you will want to:

  1. Click on the "Add/Edit" button inside of the Org Chart toolbar

  2. Select "Edit Dotted Line Relationship"

  3. Search for the person from your existing relationships that you are updating

  4. Click on the "Edit" pencil icon next to their name

  5. Update the relationship details or delete if needed

From the Sift Profile you will want to:

  1. Click on the "Edit" pencil icon next to the dotted line relationship line item you want to edit or delete

  2. Search for the person from your existing relationships that you are updating

  3. Click on the "Edit" pencil icon next to their name

  4. Update the relationship details or delete if needed

Have further questions? Feel free to reach out to our Customer Success Team for further assistance!

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