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Span of Control

The document discusses the span of management, which refers to the number of subordinates that report directly to a manager. Traditionally the span was around 7 subordinates, but in lean organizations today it can be over 30. The optimal span depends on factors like the nature of the work, capacity of supervisors and subordinates, degree of decentralization, and use of communication techniques. A narrow span allows for close supervision and control, while a wider span forces superiors to delegate more and select subordinates carefully.

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334 views

Span of Control

The document discusses the span of management, which refers to the number of subordinates that report directly to a manager. Traditionally the span was around 7 subordinates, but in lean organizations today it can be over 30. The optimal span depends on factors like the nature of the work, capacity of supervisors and subordinates, degree of decentralization, and use of communication techniques. A narrow span allows for close supervision and control, while a wider span forces superiors to delegate more and select subordinates carefully.

Uploaded by

eshaprashar88
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Span of Control/Management

Span of Management

Decentralization - structure in which power and control are systematically delegated to lower levels in the organization.

Span of Management - number of subordinates who report directly to a manager. Affects the total number of relationships within an organization.
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Span of Management

Number of employees who report to a supervisor


Traditional view = seven subordinates per manager Lean organizations today = 30+ subordinates

Supervisor Involvement

must be closely involved with subordinates, the span should be small need little involvement with subordinates, it can be large

Principle of Span of Management

It states that there is a limit to the number of subordinates a manager can effectively supervise but the exact number will depend on

the impact of underlying factors :

Types of Relationships

Direct - supervisor over subordinates Cross - relationships among subordinates Group - relationships between groups of subordinates

Relationship Between organization Level and Span of management.

Organization Level

Narrow Span

Wider Span

NARROW SPAN
M
M M

M M M X X X X M X

M X X X

Advantages: Close Supervision Close Control Fast Communication

WIDE SPAN
M M X X X
M M

M X

M X

M X

Advantages: Superiors are forced to Delegate Clear Policies Subordinates must be carefully selected

Factors that Influence the Span of Management

Capacity of superiors. Capacity of Subordinates. Nature of Work Degree of Decentralization. Degree of Planning Communication Techniques. Use of staff assistance

CONCLUSION

In every organizational level there should ne limit number of Sub-ordinates that are effectively supervised by managers, although the limit varies depending on situations.

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