Span of Control

This principle recognizes that there is a limit to the number of persons or positions that one supervisor should direct. That number will vary with the type of work being supervised. There is no single "right" limit to cover all positions, and there is no uniformity among all firms. In upper-management positions, the span of control is usually limited to include only six or eight subordinates; but in routine manufacturing operations, one supervisor may direct the activities of many more employees.