SPAN OF MANAGEMENT

Span of Management (SOM) refers to the optimum number of subordinates that a manager or superior can manage or control effectively and efficiently. It is also know as Span of Motivation, Span of Control, Span of Responsibility, Span of Authority and Span of Direction.

“The Span of Management or span of control is the number of subordinates who report directly to a specific manager”. Kathryn M. Bartol & David C. Martin

According to VA Graicunas, the number of possible interactions and relationships can be determined by the formula:

R = n (2n-1 + n-1) (Where, R = Relationships & n = no. of subordinates)

e.g.- R = 2(22-1 + 2-1)
= 2 (2+1)
= 2 x 3
= 6 Relationships/Interactions

Factors Affecting/Influencing the Span of Management

1. The capacity & ability of the Manager/Supervisor: The ability such as leadership, administrative capabilities, to judge, to listen, to guide etc. differs in person to person. A person having better abilities can manage a large number of subordinates effectively as compared to the one who has lesser capabilities. E.g.- any empire build, may like to have wider span as compared to a submissive manager. .

2. Competence and training of subordinates: Subordinates who are skilled, efficient, knowledgeable, trained require less supervision and therefore supervisor may have a wider span in such ease as compared to inexperienced and untrained subordinates who require greater supervision.

3. Nature of work: The work involving routine, repetitive, unskilled and standard operations will not call for much attention and time on the part of the supervisor.

4. Effectiveness of communication system: The SOM is also influenced by the effectiveness of the communication system in the organisation. Faulty communication puts a heavy burden on the manager’s time and reduces the span of control.

5. Degree of physical dispersion: If the supervisor is being present, then the works done efficiently. But when supervisor doesn’t present, it affects the work adversely.

6. Assistance of experts: The SOM may be wide where services of experts are available to the subordinates on various aspect of work. In such cases, where the expert services are not provided, the supervisor has to spend a lot of time in providing assistance to the workers himself and as such the span of control would be narrow.

7. Degree of decentralization: If a manager clearly delegates authority to undertake a well-defined task, a well-trained subordinate can do it with a minimum of supervisor’s time and attention. As such span could be wide.