Span of Control

Over a million managers and consultants are working together on management issues via 12manage each month...

Description of Span of Control. Explanation.

Definition Span of Control. Description.

Span of Control is the number of people/subordinates that can be effectively managed by one manager. It is an organizational theory term that refers to how relationships are structured between leaders and subordinates in organizations. A wide span of control exists when a person oversees many subordinates. A narrow span of control exists when a leader oversees few subordinates.

The optimal Span of Control is dependent upon a great number of factors, some of which include:

• The nature of the work of the subordinates.

• The skills, capabilities, experience, seniority, qualifications of the subordinates.

• The skills, capabilities, experience, seniority, qualifications of the manager.

• The use of information technology.

• The detail at which work rules and procedures have been formalized and are known by the subordinates.

• The applied management style (command and control or democratic / affiliative).

• The desired depth of the hierarchy in an organization (steep or flat).

• Organizational approaches (Self-directed Teams, Empowerment, cross-functional teams, etc.)

Forum

Patterson Ebenezer - Ghana

Effective People Management

"I think that the span of control can be an effective means of people management in an organizattion. The span of control is an intervention propounded by V.A Gracuinas, I believe to remedy the many challenges confronting HRM in any organization."

2

Juliet James - Nigeria

Two Different Views towards Span of Control?

"How did the behavouralist theory view span of control and how did the classical approach of theory view span of control?"

1

Kharen - Philipphines

Increasing Subordinates and Span of Control

"When should we add more subordinates?"

0

ashvin - Mauritius

Benefits and Drawbacks Wide Span of Control

"What are the main benefits and drawbacks of a wide span of control?"

12

Dominick - England

Best Organizational Structures

"Out of the tall, flat and narrow span of control, which is the best balance?"

1

Comment on this Page

Compare also: Flat Organizational Structure  |  Covert Leadership  |  Stretch Goals

Return to Management Hub: Change & Organization  |  Communication & Skills  |  Leadership

More on Management  |  Return to Management Dictionary  | 

End of description Span of Control. An explanation.