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What is Span of Control?

Span of Control - Meaning and Definition

The span-of-control refers to the number of reports that are present with the supervisor or manager of the company. This is one of the management techniques and principles that help determine the number of direct reports available to the manager of the organization, and the management process can also be handled effectively. It is also known as the span of management. This is the most important management principle in business management and, most specifically, in human resource management. This concept is mainly concerned with the number of subordinates working in the organization.

Types and Key points

Wide Span of Control:

  • Managers look after a larger number of employees.
  • Benefits include quick decision-making and more autonomy for employees.
  • Challenges include potential work pressure on managers and less personalized supervision.

Narrow Span of Control:

  • Managers look after a smaller number of employees.
  • Benefits include close monitoring, more support for employees, and bridge better communication.
  • Challenges include higher management costs and slower decision-making processes.

Calculations

Calculation involves determining the number of direct reports that a manager or supervisor oversees. This metric is crucial for understanding management efficiency and organizational structure. Here’s how to calculate it:

Steps to Calculate :

Identify the Manager or Supervisor:

Determine whose span of control you are calculating.

Examine the Direct Reports:

Identify and count all the employees who report directly to this manager.

Example Calculation:
Suppose you have the following organizational structure:

  • Manager A has 5 direct reports.
  • Manager B has 8 direct reports.
  • Manager C has 3 direct reports.

Formula:

Span of Control= Total Number of Direct Reports / Numbers of Managers

To calculate the average span of control across the organization, you would sum the direct reports and divide by the number of managers:

Average Span of Control = 5+8+3/3=16/3=5.33

Thus, the average span of control in this organization is approximately 5.33 direct reports per manager.

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