Difference Between Formal and Informal Groups

In an organization, the formation of groups is very natural, whether it is created by the management for the purpose of accomplishing the goals of the organization or by the members of the organisations themselves to fulfill their social needs. There are two types of group, namely, formal groups and informal groups. Formal groups are the ones that are created as per official authority, so as to fulfill the desired objective. Unlike, informal groups are formed by the employees as per their likes, interests, and attitudes.

The most common reason behind the creation of a group is the urge of people to talk and make their own circle, where they can interact freely, know each other, work unitedly and accomplish the tasks which are being assigned to them. In the given article, the difference between formal and informal groups are presented.

Content: Formal Groups Vs Informal Groups

1. Comparison Chart
2. Definition
3. Key Differences
4. Conclusion

Comparison Chart

Basis for Comparison	Formal Group	Informal Group
Meaning	Groups created by the organization, for the purpose of accomplishing a specific task are known as Formal Groups.	Groups created by the employees themselves, for their own sake are known as Informal Groups.
Formation	Deliberately	Voluntarily
Size	Large	Comparatively small.
Life	Depends on the type of group.	Depends on the members.
Structure	Well Defined	Ill Defined
Importance is given to	Position	Person
Relationship	Professional	Personal
Communication	Moves in a defined direction.	Stretches in all the directions.

Definition of Formal Group

A formal group is a collection of persons, who came together for achieving a specified goal. They are always created with intent to fulfil some official requirement. Formation of the group is done by the management. It possesses a systematic structure, in hierarchical form.

In general, the employees of the organisation are divided into groups, and a task is a hand over to each group. In this way, the task of the group is accomplished along with the fulfilment of organisational goals. The given are the types of formal groups:

• Command groups: The groups that consist of managers and their subordinates.
• Committees: The group of people who are appointed by an organisation, to resolve the matters, referred to them are known as Committee. For example Advisory Committee, Standing Committee, etc.
• Task Forces: The group form to carry out a particular task is known as Task Forces.

Definition of Informal Groups

The groups that are created naturally, within the organisation, due to social and psychological forces are known as Informal groups. Under this group, the employees of the organisation, themselves enter into groups, without the approval of the management to satisfy their social needs on the job.

Nobody wants to live in isolation; people generally create a circle around themselves so that they can interact and share their feelings, opinions, experiences, information, etc. These circles are known as informal groups at the workplace. These groups are formed on the basis of common likes, dislikes, prejudices, contacts, language, interests, attitudes of the members. It includes interest group and friendship group. The communication is faster in such groups, as they follow grapevine chain.

There are no defined rules; that applies to the informal group. Moreover, the group possesses a loose structure. The bond between the members of the group is quite strong, which can be seen when one of the employees is kicked out of the job and all co-members his group goes on strike just to support him.

Conclusion

We generally enter into groups, without knowing that Which kind of group is it? From the above post, hope you have understood the differences between the two kinds of group. Sometimes the members of formal groups and informal groups are same. The basic distinguishing feature between the two is that formal groups are always formed with an objective, but when an informal group is created, there is no such kind of intention at all.