ladder system
Ranked progression structure
A ladder system is a competitive ranking structure where participants advance by defeating those ranked above them, like climbing rungs.
Common in tennis clubs, pool halls, and online gaming: Challenge anyone up to three spots above you on the ladder.
The system creates ongoing competition without formal tournaments.
- hierarchyRanked authority structure
- rungsLadder's horizontal bars
- climbingAscending by physical effort
- social climbingSeeking higher status
- promotionRank increase or publicity
upward mobility · corporate · rat race · ranking · pay grade · steps · career path · advancement · fast track · tiers · levels · entry level · ascent · glass ceiling · career · structure · scaffolding · tournament
- hierarchiestier, tiers, level, levels, rank
- organizationteam, group, company, department, club
- sports leaguesNFL, NBA, NHL, MLB, WNBA
- tournamentstournament, tournaments, bracket, brackets, tournament brackets
ladder systemsingle-elimination tournament
Competition where losers exit immediately
ladder systemflat hierarchy
Organization with few levels
random assignment · lottery system · seniority system · tenure system · caste system
ladder, system, ladders, systems, systematic, systematize, systematization, systemic, systemically