Span of Control
There are a number of different approaches to defining the ideal span of control. Success factors, limitations and implementation steps are provided, alongside case evidence from different sectors to help managers understand the effects of delayering on organisational design and performance.
Technique Overview
Span of Control Definition
Span of control simply refers to the number of employees that a manager can supervise effectively at any given time without compromising his or her own performance, or that of the employees he or she manages (Hindle, 2008).
Span of Control Description *
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Business Evidence
Strengths, weaknesses and examples of Span of Control *
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Business Application
Implementation, success factors and measures of Span of Control *
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Professional Tools
Span of Control videos and downloads *
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Further Reading
Span of Control web and print resources *
Span of Control references (4 of up to 20) *
- Arnold, J., Silvester, J., Patterson, F., Robertson, I., Cooper C.L., and Burnes, B. (2005) Work Psychology: Understanding Human Behavior in the Workplace (4th Ed.), Pearson Education, Harlow, Essex.
- BBC News (2000) Dyke Moves to Streamline BBC, [Online] Available at: (http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/827518.stm) [Accessed 6 October 2015]
- City of Portland Span of Control Study (1994) City of Portland Audit Services Division by Public Knowledge, Inc. and The Kemp Consulting Group.
- Doran, D. (2004). Impact of Managers’ Span of Control on Leadership and Performance. In: Foundation CHSR.
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