SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
DEFINATION
Span of management defines clearly the number of
the subordinates
or control.
an executive can effectively manage
Level of authority refers to the vertical dimensions of
organization structure and determined by span of
management.
OTHER NAMES OF SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
SPAN OF CONTROL
SPAN OF SUPERVISE
SPAN OF RESPONSIBILITY
IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE SPAN OF
MANAGEMENT
BETTER
SUPERVISION
AND CONTROL
GOOD
PROFESSIONAL
RELATIONS
INCREASES
EFFICIENCY
GOOD
COMMUNICATION
AND
COORDINATION
DEVELOPS
DISCIPLINE AND
MUTUAL TRUST
Graicunas has identified three types of
superior:
 Direct Single Relationship
 Direct Group Relationship
 Cross Relationship
The no. of superior subordinate relationships are:
Formula = n [2n-1 + (n-1) ]
where n represents the number of subordinates.
No. of subordinates
No. of relationships
1
1
2
6
3
18
4
44
11
11378
Limitations of Graicunas Theory
The Graicunas Theory is criticised because of the following reasons:• He gives more importance to the numerical factor.
• He gives more importance to the relationships.
FACTORS AFFECTING SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
The span of Management depends on no. of factors:
A. Superior Related factors
a. Abilities and competence
b. Supervisory Style
c. Delegation of authority
B. Subordinate Related factors
a. Abilities and competence
b. Motivation and Commitment
c. Need for Autonomy
C. Organizational Factors/ World Class
a. Nature of tasks
b. Geographical location
c. Plan and policies
d. Objective Criteria of performance evaluation
e. Rate of changes
FACTORS AFFECTING SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
NATURE OF
WORK
CAPACITY OF
SUPERIORS
TRUST ON
SUBORDINATES
TECHNIQUE
OF COMMUNICATION
DELEGATION
OF
AUTHORITY
CAPACITY
OF
SUBORDINATES
FIXATION OF
RESPONSIBILITY
TYPES OF SPANOF MANAGEMENT
W I D E S PA N OF MANAGEMENT
• This means a single manager or supervisor is
managing Large numbers of subordinates .
For example 7 -8 numbers of subordinates.
N A R R O W S PA N OF MANAGEMENT
• This means a single manager or supervisor is
managing Few number of subordinates .
For example 2-3 number of subordinates.
WIDE SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
OTHER NAME :- FLAT ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
WIDE SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
MERITS
ECONOMICAL
DIRECT CONTACTWITH
SUBORDINATES
OPPORTNITIES FOR
SUBORDINATES
DEVELOPMENT
D EMERITS
REDUCES QUALITYOF
PERFORMANCE
HIGHLY QUALIFIED AND
WELL EXPERIENCED STAFFIS
NEEDED
ZEALAND INITIATIVE OFTHE
WORKERS IS KILLED
NARROW SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
OTHER
NAME :- TALL ORGANISATIONAL STRUCTURE
NARROW SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
MERITS
OFFERS TIGHT CONTROLAND
SUPERVISION
DEMERITS
PERSONAL CONTACT
BETWEEN MANAGERS
CREATES MORE LEVELS OF
MANAGEMENT WHICH IS
EXPENSIVE AS WELLAS TIME
CONSUMING
MANAGERIAL EFFECINCYIS
INCREASED
CREATES COMPLEXITYIN
COMMUNICATION
LEADS TO EXCESSIVE
ADMINISTRATIVE AND
OVERHEAD COST