Span of Management
MGT160
SPAN OF
MANAGEMENT
Span of management
The number of individuals a manager
supervises.
Job descriptions detail the responsibilities and
tasks associated with a given job.
Factors That Influence The Span of Management
Similarity of functions
if similarity of subordinates’ activities increases, the span of
management appropriate for the situation widens.
Geographic continuity
the closer subordinates are physically, the more of them
managers can supervise effectively.
Complexity of functions
the more difficult and involved the activities are, the more
difficult it is to manage a large number of individuals effectively.
Coordination
the greater the amount of time that must be spent on such
coordination, the smaller span of management should be.
Planning
the more time managers must spend on planning activities, the
fewer individuals they can manage effectively.
Major Factors that Influence the
Span of Management
Height of Organization Chart
There is a definite relationship between span
of management and the height of an organization chart
↑Height of the chart, Span of management <
↓Height of the chart, Span of management >
Height of Organization Chart
Flat structure is and organization chart characterized by few levels and a relatively wide span of management.
Tall structure is an organization chart characterized by many levels and a relatively narrow span of management. Scalar Relationship
Refer to the chain-of-command positioning
of individuals on an organization chart.
Chain of Command
The line of authority and responsibility that flows
throughout the organization.
Unity of Command
A principle that each employee in the
organization is accountable to one, and only one, supervisor.
Types of Organizational Authority
Line authority
The position authority (given and defined by the
organization)
SPAN OF
MANAGEMENT
Span of management
The number of individuals a manager
supervises.
Job descriptions detail the responsibilities and
tasks associated with a given job.
Factors That Influence The Span of Management
Similarity of functions
if similarity of subordinates’ activities increases, the span of
management appropriate for the situation widens.
Geographic continuity
the closer subordinates are physically, the more of them
managers can supervise effectively.
Complexity of functions
the more difficult and involved the activities are, the more
difficult it is to manage a large number of individuals effectively.
Coordination
the greater the amount of time that must be spent on such
coordination, the smaller span of management should be.
Planning
the more time managers must spend on planning activities, the
fewer individuals they can manage effectively.
Major Factors that Influence the
Span of Management
Height of Organization Chart
There is a definite relationship between span
of management and the height of an organization chart
↑Height of the chart, Span of management <
↓Height of the chart, Span of management >
Height of Organization Chart
Flat structure is and organization chart characterized by few levels and a relatively wide span of management.
Tall structure is an organization chart characterized by many levels and a relatively narrow span of management. Scalar Relationship
Refer to the chain-of-command positioning
of individuals on an organization chart.
Chain of Command
The line of authority and responsibility that flows
throughout the organization.
Unity of Command
A principle that each employee in the
organization is accountable to one, and only one, supervisor.
Types of Organizational Authority
Line authority
The position authority (given and defined by the
organization)