🔗 Key Structural Concepts
Big Idea: Delegation is when a manager gives authority to a subordinate to carry out a specific task. The manager remains accountable but the subordinate gains responsibility.
Delegation
- Advantages: frees up manager time for strategic tasks, motivates employees (shows trust), develops employee skills, leads to faster decision-making
- Disadvantages: risk of poor quality if employee lacks skills, manager loses some control, employee may feel overburdened, some tasks should not be delegated (e.g. confidential matters)
[Diagram: delegation-chain] - Available in full study mode
Span of control
The number of subordinates directly managed by one person.
- Wide span: one manager supervises many people -- suitable for experienced, motivated teams doing routine work
- Narrow span: one manager supervises few people -- suitable for complex work requiring close supervision and support
[Diagram: span-of-control] - Available in full study mode
Chain of command
The line of authority from the most senior person to the most junior.
- Long chain: many levels -- information may be distorted as it passes through multiple layers
- Short chain: few levels -- faster, more accurate communication
Delegation, span of control and chain of command are all connected. More delegation = wider span possible = fewer levels needed = shorter chain of command. 🔗