Certified Human Resource Professional (CHRP) Practice Exam

What concept describes the number of subordinates that a manager can successfully supervise?

1. Inverted pyramid

2. Peter principle

3. Span of control

4. Functional organization structure

The correct answer is: Span of control

The correct answer is the concept of "span of control," which refers to the number of subordinates that a manager can effectively oversee and manage. This concept is crucial in organizational design and management because it impacts communication, team dynamics, and overall managerial efficiency. When a manager has an appropriate span of control, they can provide sufficient attention and support to each subordinate, fostering a productive work environment and ensuring that team members receive the guidance they need to succeed in their roles. A narrow span of control often allows for more direct oversight and clearer lines of communication, but it can also lead to a higher number of managers and increased costs. Conversely, a wide span of control may promote greater autonomy among employees and fewer management layers but can result in managers being stretched too thin, potentially compromising the quality of leadership and support provided. In contrast, other concepts like the inverted pyramid refer to organizational structures emphasizing a broad base of employees while reducing managerial levels, the Peter principle highlights the tendency of individuals to rise to their level of incompetence, and a functional organization structure categorizes employees based on their specific functions or roles within the company. While these concepts play important roles in organizational theory, they do not directly define the relationship between a manager and the number of subordinates they supervise