It implies the number of people who are directly managed by a single individual. Span of management is also known as span of control, span of responsibility and span of authority. For more such innovative content on management studies, join WeSchool PGDM-DLP Program: http://bit.ly/ZEcPAc

1. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
CHAPTER-10
SPAN OF MANAGEMENT
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2. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Introduction
• Span of management is also known as Span of
control, Span of supervision, Span of authority and
Span of responsibility. It indicates the number for
people directly managed effectively by a single
person.
• A sound organization depends upon the effective
performance of work by the executives. So, the
executives should neither be overloaded nor be idle
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3. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
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4. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Meaning
• Span of management means the number of people
managed effectively by a single officer in an organization.
In an average firm, an executive can efficiently control up
to five or six subordinates.
• Normally, the members exercising span of control are
decreased at the top level management and increased at
the bottom level management. Ideal number of
subordinates is four in case of higher level management
and eight to twelve in case of bottom level management
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5. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Factors affecting the span of management
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Using to
standards
Span of
Management
Fixation of
responsibility
Nature of
work
Level of
supervision
Character of the
supervision work
The available to
supervisor
Leadership
qualities
Qualities of the
subordinate
Methods of
communication
Delegation of
authority

6. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Graicunas theory of span of management
A management expert named V.A. Graicunas
contributed much to the Span of Management
Theory.
His theory identifies the relationship prevailing
between the superior and the subordinates.
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7. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Graicunas theory of span of management
The relationships are classified into three
categories. They are given below:
• Direct single relationship
• Direct group relationship
• Cross relationship
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8. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Direct single relationship
• Direct single relationship is one in which a
supervisor has direct relationship with his
subordinates individually.
Genral Manager (Finance and Business Control)
Manger (Finance) Manager (Business Control)
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9. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Direct single relationship
• In this case a supervisor has direct
relationship with his subordinates jointly.
General Manager (Finance and Accounts)
Consultation Consultation
Manger (Finance) Manager (Accounts)
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10. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
Cross Relationship
• In cross relationship, a subordinate has
relationship with another subordinate
mutually.
Vice President (Operations)
Relationship
GM-Production GM-Maintenance
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11. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
FORMULAE
Number of
relationships = n (2n /2+n-1)
n refers to the number for subordinates.
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12. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
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Number of subordinates Number of relationship
1 1
2 6
3 18
4 44
5 100
6 222
7 490
8 1080
9 2376
10 5210

13. Welingkar’s Distance Learning Division
CONCLUSION
• The number of relationship increases in geometrical
progression.
• The effective supervision depends upon the
efficiency of the supervisor and the number of
subordinates to be supervised. The effectiveness of
the supervision decreases if the number of
relationship is increased.
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