Span of control is defined as the

• A. The number of employees managed directly by another employee
• B. The budget controlled
• C. The number of levels of management
• D. The number of departments

Answer: (A)

Span of control is about how many subordinates report directly to a manager. It describes how many people a supervisor can effectively oversee. A smaller span means more managerial levels and closer supervision; a larger span creates a flatter structure with potentially quicker decision-making but more challenge in directing many people. The other ideas aren’t it: budgeting controlled relates to financial responsibility, the number of levels of management refers to the height of the hierarchy, and the number of departments concerns grouping work, not direct reporting. The direct report count is the essence of span of control.