A narrow span of control refers to the number of subordinates that a manager or supervisor is responsible for overseeing. In organizational structure, a narrow span of control means that there are more layers of management and fewer employees reporting directly to each manager. While this structure can have some benefits, it also has several significant disadvantages.
One disadvantage of a narrow span of control is that it can lead to a slower decision-making process. With more layers of management, ideas and decisions must be passed up and down the chain of command, which can take longer and result in delays. This can be especially problematic in fast-paced or dynamic environments where quick decision-making is crucial.
Another disadvantage is that a narrow span of control can lead to a lack of accountability. When there are many layers of management, it can be difficult to determine who is responsible for a particular decision or action. This can lead to a lack of accountability, as it is not always clear who is responsible for addressing problems or addressing issues that arise.
A narrow span of control can also lead to a lack of communication and coordination between different levels of the organization. With more layers of management, it can be difficult for employees to communicate directly with higher-level managers or to collaborate with their colleagues on other teams. This can lead to a breakdown in communication and coordination, which can impact the overall efficiency and effectiveness of the organization.
Additionally, a narrow span of control can be costly for an organization. With more layers of management, there are more salaries to pay, which can be a significant expense. This can also lead to a more bureaucratic and hierarchical organizational structure, which can be demoralizing for employees and lead to a lack of motivation and engagement.
Overall, while a narrow span of control may have some benefits, it also has several significant disadvantages that organizations should consider when deciding on their organizational structure. These disadvantages include slower decision-making, a lack of accountability and communication, and increased costs.
What are the disadvantages of narrow Span
Employees typically appreciate the chance to provide feedback to their manager, which is not as easy in a wide span of control. Is it true that a wide span of control will shorten the chain of command? Narrower spans of control are typically used when tasks are complex, subordinates are poorly trained or inexperienced, or a team effort is required. Which do you think is more efficient a wide or a narrow span of control? This can lead to: Faster decision-making due to fewer levels of approvals required for a specific decision, which allows the company to respond more quickly to business issues. Whereas, an inexperienced manager with limited skills can handle a few employees. When it comes to a wider span of control, it has been the trend to expand the span of control in organizations. Wide span of control means controlling process is strictly followed to get work done others. Narrow span of control: Narrow Span of control means a single manager or supervisor oversees few subordinates.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Narrow Span of Control
A narrow span is often more effective when daily guidance and expertise is needed to complete more complex tasks. What is the best span of control? But actually, an ideal span of control depends upon the nature of an organization, skills and capabilities of manager, the employees skills and abilities, the nature of job, the degree of interaction required between superior and subordinates. Because this term is related to the management and controlling of employees, the meaning of the word is the total number of subordinates that a manager or supervisor can manage. READING 3: SPAN OF CONTROL Administrative theorists concluded many decades ago that the most effective organizations have a narrow span of control. Therefore, as the number of subordinates increases arithmetically, the number of relationships among them increases almost geometrically. That means he will be able to dedicate a limited time to manage his subordinates.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of a narrow span of control?
Narrow-minded people can be difficult to deal with in relationships, work settings, and other situations. Several factors affect the span of control of a manager, such as the nature of work, capabilities of the manager, capabilities of employees to be managed, and the responsibilities of a manager. There is an inverse relation between the span of management and the number of hierarchical levels in an organization, i. In such cases, a manager can competently control and oversee many employees. Currently, he is working in the sheet metal industry as a designer.
