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Setting Up Your Company Structure

Configure your organisational hierarchy in Forwood One

Written by Jessica Serena

Understanding Company Structure in Forwood One

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Introduction

Company Structure in Forwood One defines how your organisation is arranged in a clear, hierarchical model. This structure is essential for:

  • organising your company data

  • managing user access

  • supporting accurate reporting

  • linking your organisation to physical sites

A complete and well-designed Company Structure is mandatory for Forwood One setup. Without it, users may be unable to access information or generate reports.


What is Company Structure?

Company Structure refers to the hierarchy of organisational levels inside Forwood One. It defines:

  • where each user belongs

  • how data is grouped

  • how reporting and access rules are applied

Company Structure supports:

  • User access control – Users only see the levels they are assigned to.

  • Data organisation – Helps structure regions, business units, product groups, teams, etc.

  • Site linkage – Ensures sites are correctly connected to the organisation.

  • Reporting & verification – Enables meaningful reporting across levels.


How the Hierarchy Works

Forwood One uses a parent/child hierarchy, where each level sits under another.

  • Client (Parent Organisation)

    • Company Structure (Hierarchical Levels)

      • Structure Level 1

      • Structure Level 2

      • Structure Level X

    • Site (Linked to Hierarchical Structures, but Part of Physical Location Taxonomy)

Each structure level falls under the overarching client, ensuring that company data is well-organised and accessible based on user permissions.

Company Structure Statuses

Every structure level can be:

  • Active – Visible and fully usable

  • Blocked – Retired, hidden from most reports and functions


Taxonomy Rules You Must Follow

Company Structure must follow these rules:

  • It is always hierarchical (parent → child).

  • User access is controlled by the structure level they are assigned to.

  • It enables statistical reporting and verifications at all levels.

  • It must reflect real organisational logic to ensure accurate reporting.


Customising Your Structure Levels

Organisations can name and define their hierarchy based on their operational model.
Examples include:

Common hierarchy models:

  • Corporate Level

  • Geographical Regions e.g. USA, Europe, APAC

  • Product Groups e.g Aluminium, Iron Ore

  • Business Unit e.g. Maintenance, Engineering, Projects

This flexibility allows clients to tailor Forwood One to their organisational reality while maintaining a logical reporting structure.


Linking to Sites & Physical Locations

Sites connect your operational (physical) locations to your company structure.

Proper configuration supports:

  • Operational clarity – Clear mapping of where activities occur

  • Verification & reporting – Sites act as filters for checklists and report views

  • Organisational alignment – Accurate planning and decision-making

  • User access control – Users only access the sites they are assigned to


Client Responsibilities for Setup

Before Forwood One implementation begins, clients must provide:

  • A complete organisational structure

  • A list of divisions, business units, and reporting groups

  • Approval of the final structure before tenant activation

Not providing these details may delay deployment.


Hot Tips for Success

  • Start Small – Begin with a simple structure. Adding levels later is much easier than removing them.

  • Be Consistent – Use standard naming conventions across all levels.

  • Regular Reviews – Update your structure to reflect organisational changes

  • Plan for Growth – Design a structure that can evolve as your business expands.


Key Benefits for Clients

A well-designed Company Structure provides:

  • Streamlined access control – Right people, right data

  • Improved reporting – Clean, accurate analytics

  • Flexible taxonomy – Customisable and scalable

  • Seamless integration – Works across all Forwood One modules


Getting Started with Company Structure

To begin your Company Structure setup:

  1. Submit your completed company structure document to help@forwoodsafety.com; Please use the template below and follow the instructions provided in the "Instructions" sheet in this file to ensure the company structure is correctly set up for your organisation.
    Company_Master_Report_template.xlsx

  2. Work with Forwood to validate and configure it in Forwood One.

  3. Review and confirm structure levels and reporting groups

  4. Update the structure periodically as your organisation evolves


Next Steps

Once your structure is approved:

  • User accounts will be assigned based on hierarchy

  • Reporting structures will be finalised in Forwood One

For support, contact:

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