Formal vs.

Informal
Communication
Dr. Nermin Nashaat
 Formal Communication

• It refers to official communication which flows

in formally established channels and is
concerned with work related matters
throughout the organization.
• It may take place between a superior and a
subordinate, a subordinate and a superior or
among the same cadre employees.
• It can be oral or in writing and generally
recorded and filed in the office.
 Types of Formal Communication
1. Vertical Communication flows vertically upwards
or downwards through formal channels.
a. Upward Communication refers to the flow of
information from a subordinate to a superior
b. Downward Communication refers to the flow
of information from a superior to a subordinate
2. Horizontal Communication is the transmission of
information between people on the same level of
organization hierarchy.
Formal Communication Networks
1. Wheel Network: This is the most centralized
form of a communication network as all the
information flows from one central person,
typically the leader.
Formal Communication Networks [Cont.]

2. Single Chain Network: Under the chain

pattern, the information flows either up or
down the line. Here each person gets the
information from his immediate superior and
then passes it to their immediate
subordinates.
Formal Communication Networks [Cont.]

3. Inverted “V” Network: the subordinate is

allowed to communicate with his immediate
superior as well as with the superior’s
superior, i.e. the boss of the immediate boss.
Formal Communication Networks [Cont.]

4. Circle Network: The circle network is one of

the decentralized forms of a communication
network as the information is shared equally
among all the members of a group or a
department.
Formal Communication Networks [Cont.]

5. Free Flow Network: Under this pattern,

everyone is connected to each other, and the
information can flow freely from anywhere in
the organization. It is the most decentralized
form of formal communication.
 Informal Communication

• It is the casual and unofficial form of communication

wherein the information is exchanged spontaneously
without conforming to official rules, processes, or
systems.
• It does not follow any pre-defined channel for the
transmission of information.
• Informal communication is called “grapevine” as it is
difficult to define the beginning and end of the
communication. Also, it spreads in all directions
without any regard to the levels of authority.
 Grapevine Networks
1. Single Strand Chain: The communication in
which a person will give information to
another person who will communicate it to a
third person and so on. Most inaccuracies
occur in this chain.
 Grapevine Networks [Cont.]
2. Cluster Chain: The communication in which
one person tells something to some of his
most trusted people. Most informal
communication flows through the cluster
network.
 Grapevine Networks [Cont.]
3. Probability Chain: The communication
happens when a person randomly chooses
some people to pass on the information which
is of little interest but not important.
 Grapevine Networks [Cont.]
4. Gossip Chain: The communication starts
when a person tells something to a group of
people, and then they pass on the information
to some more people and in this way the
information is passed on to everyone.