SPAN OF CONTROL

Span of control is also known as span of management or span of supervision.it is the part of management which suggests for keeping a limited numbers of subordinate under a supervisor so that he can be able to supervise them effectively.In an organization, many departments may be formed on the basis of nature of work and in each department many subordinateare appointed.A supervisor or departmental head is appointed to take the responsibility of supervision of each department.under a supervisor there must be a limited number of subordinate for effective supervision which is known as span of control.

A supervisor can manage his subordinates according to his time availablity, his capacity and nature of work.In order to maintain attention to workand for effective completion of works, a managershould have a limited number of subordinates.
The concept of "SPAN OF CONTROL" was firstly propounded by V.A.Graicunas, a french specialist in 1933.The concept of span of control was propounded for effective management of human resource as well as to minimize supervision cost.A manager cannot supervise and control the large number of subordinate in effective manner.Similarly a small number of subordinate under a superior reduces cost of the organization.Thus span of control is essential to be maintain in the organization.