span of control

Is there a rule of thumb that addresses the number of subordinates a manager can effectively control?

While it is theoretically possible to determine an appropriate span of control, there are many factors that determine the number of subordinates a manager can supervise. Some of these factors are the type of work being supervised (when jobs are easy to learn and/or self-directed, the span of control can increase), the characteristics of the manager (how comfortable the manager is with delegation and the manager's abilities), the manager's job (the time available for supervising others), and the characteristics of subordinates (how well-trained they are and how comfortable they are with decision making). Organization culture may also dictate closer supervision or more delegation. An organization that has rules and procedures carefully defined may tolerate a larger span of control than one in the same industry with less reliance on routines. Large spans of control yield organizations with few levels of hierarchy, while small spans of control yield many levels of middle and upper management.

Phyllis G. Holland, PhD, Professor and Head, Department of Management, Langdale College of Business, Valdosta State University, Valdosta, GA