Span of control: Factors Affecting, Advantages and Disadvantages

SPAN OF CONTROL

Span of Control means the number of subordinates that can be managed efficiently and effectively by a superior in an organization. It suggests how the relations are designed between a superior and a subordinate in an organization.

Factors Affecting Span of control:

Capacity of Superior:

Different ability and capacity of leadership, communication affect management of subordinates.

Capacity of Subordinates:

Efficient and trained subordinates affects the degree of span of management.

Nature of Work:

Different types of work require different patterns of management.

Degree of Centralization or Decentralization:

Degree of centralization or decentralization affects the span of management by affecting the degree of involvement of the superior in decision making.

Degree of Planning:

Plans which can provide rules, procedures in doing the work higher would be the degree of span of management.

Communication Techniques:

Pattern of communication, its means, and media affect the time requirement in managing subordinates and consequently span of management.

Use of Staff Assistance:

Use of Staff assistance in reducing the work load of managers enables them to manage more number of subordinates.

Supervision of others:

If subordinate receives supervision form several other personnel besides his direct supervisor. In such a case, the work load of direct superior is reduced and he can supervise more number of persons.

Span of control is of two types:

1. Narrow span of control: Narrow Span of control means a single manager or supervisor

oversees few subordinates. This gives rise to a tall organizational structure.

Advantages:

Close supervision

Close control of subordinates

Fast communication

Disadvantages:

            Too much control

            Many levels of management

            High costs

            Excessive distance between lowest level and highest level

Wide span of control: Wide span of control means a single manager or supervisor oversees a large number of subordinates. This gives rise to a flat organizational structure.

Advantages:

More Delegation of Authority

Development of Managers

Clear policies

Disadvantages:

Overloaded supervisors

Danger of superiors loss of control

Requirement of highly trained managerial personnel

Block in decision making