How does span of control affect organizational structure?

A large Span of Control leads to a flatter organisational structure, which results in lower costs. A small span of control creates a steeper organisational structure, which requires more managers and which will consequently be more expensive for the organisation.

What is span of control in an organization?

Span of control, also called span of management, is the term used in business management, particularly human resource management. The term refers to the number of subordinates or direct reports a supervisor is responsible for.

Why is span of control important within an organization?

The span of control determines the level of interactions and responsibilities associated with employees and managers. The process is used to determine the management style and it also defines roles within the organization.

What is the principle of span of control?

The concept of “span of control,” also known as management ratio, refers to the number of subordinates controlled directly by a superior.

What’s the ideal span of control for an organization?

Sometimes an organization will define its ideal span of control. This is the number of direct reports that managers within the organization should ideally have. If a manager has less than the ideal number then the organization may consider that the manager is not being exploited to the best of their ability.

Which is the vertical dimension of span of control?

Vertical dimension: this refers to the number of employees that are indirectly managed by the manager, that is, the depth of the organizational chart underneath a particular manager. This vertical dimension is often referred to as a manager’s depth of control. Sometimes an organization will define its ideal span of control.

How to manage spans of control and layers?

Take a closer look at span of control management—and the important roles delayering and supervisory burden analyses can play in driving business outcomes. Managing spans of control and organizational layers has always been a hot issue during organization design. But how do you determine the right number of spans and layers for your organization?

How to increase a manager’s span of control?

If a situation arises in which a supervisor manages too many employees, there are several ways for finding a solution to increase the Span of Control: Training the manager, teaching him management skills such as delegating and clear communication. Training employees, teaching them to work independently and make better use of their time.