Span of Control: Features and Factors Influencing It
1 . What do you mean by Span of Control? Differentiate between narrow span of control and wide span of control. Describe the factors that influence the span of control. span of control is a span of supervision which depicts the number of employees that can be handled and controlled effectively by a single manager. According to this principle, a manager should be able to handle what number of employees under him should be decided. This decision can be taken by choosing either froma wide or narrow span. There are two types of span of control:-
a. Wide span of control- It is one in which a manager can supervise and control effectively a large group of persons at one time. The features of this span are:-
i. Less overhead cost of supervision ii. Prompt response from the employees iii. Better communication iv. Better supervision
v. Better co-ordination vi. Suitable for repetitive jobs
According to this span, one manager can effectively and efficiently handle a large number of subordinates at one time.
b. Narrow span of control- According to this span, the work and authority is divided amongst many subordinates and a manager doesn't supervises and control a very big group of people under him. The manager according to a narrow span supervises a selected number of employees at one time. The features are:-
i. Work which requires tight control and supervision, for example, handicrafts, ivory work, etc. which requires craftsmanship, there narrow span is more helpful. ii. Co-ordination is difficult to be achieved. iii. Communication gaps can come. iv. Messages can be distorted.
v. Specialization work can be achieved.
Factors influencing Span of Control
1. Managerial abilities- In the concerns where managers are capable, qualified and experienced, wide span of control is always helpful.
2. Competence of subordinates- Where the subordinates are capable and competent and their understanding levels are proper, the subordinates tend to very frequently
a. Wide span of control- It is one in which a manager can supervise and control effectively a large group of persons at one time. The features of this span are:-
i. Less overhead cost of supervision ii. Prompt response from the employees iii. Better communication iv. Better supervision
v. Better co-ordination vi. Suitable for repetitive jobs
According to this span, one manager can effectively and efficiently handle a large number of subordinates at one time.
b. Narrow span of control- According to this span, the work and authority is divided amongst many subordinates and a manager doesn't supervises and control a very big group of people under him. The manager according to a narrow span supervises a selected number of employees at one time. The features are:-
i. Work which requires tight control and supervision, for example, handicrafts, ivory work, etc. which requires craftsmanship, there narrow span is more helpful. ii. Co-ordination is difficult to be achieved. iii. Communication gaps can come. iv. Messages can be distorted.
v. Specialization work can be achieved.
Factors influencing Span of Control
1. Managerial abilities- In the concerns where managers are capable, qualified and experienced, wide span of control is always helpful.
2. Competence of subordinates- Where the subordinates are capable and competent and their understanding levels are proper, the subordinates tend to very frequently