Module 6.5: Span of Control and Chain of Command

Question 1

Span of Control

Answer 1

number of subordinates who report to a given supervisor

Question 2

What is span of control also known as?

Answer 2

Span of Management

Question 3

Narrow Span of Control

Answer 3

when very few people report directly to a manager

Question 4

Wide Span of Control

Answer 4

when a manager has many direct reports

Question 5

When is a wider span of control possible?

Answer 5

Wider span of control is possible when employees perform routine jobs because they require less direction or advice from the supervisor.

Question 6

When does a narrow span of control become necessary?

Answer 6

+ when employees perform novel or complex tasks, because these employees require supervisory decisions and coaching
+ when employees in highly interdependent jobs tend to experience more conflict with each other which requires more of a manager’s time and resolve

Question 7

Tall Organization

Answer 7

managers have smaller span of control; longer chain of command; provide a clear, distinct layers with obvious lines of responsibility and control and a clear promotion structure

Question 8

Flat Organization

Answer 8

span of control is larger, fewer management levels, focused on empowering employing rather than adhering to the chain of command by encouraging anatomy and self-direction; common when the task is repetitive and requires minimal supervision

Question 9

Chain of Command

Answer 9

+ number of authority levels in a particular organization
+ follows the lines of authority and status vertically through the organization