Span of control
Span of control is the number of people who report directly to one manager. On an org chart it is simply the number of lines coming out of the bottom of a box, which makes it one of the easiest structural problems to spot once the chart is drawn.
Make your org chart now, no signup required
Open the editor and list your people one per row. The org chart draws itself as you type. Your work is saved automatically in your browser.
Create Your Org Chart FreeWide vs narrow spans
A wide span (many direct reports) keeps the organization flat and decisions close to the work, but limits how much time a manager has for each person. A narrow span (few reports) allows close coaching but adds layers, and each layer slows decisions down.
There is no universal right number. Teams doing similar, well-understood work can sustain wide spans; teams doing varied or senior work usually need narrower ones.
Reading span of control on an org chart
Look for outliers: a manager with fifteen reports next to peers with four, or a chain of managers who each have a single report (a sign of a layer that could be removed). Both show up at a glance once the chart is laid out automatically, because the tree's width at each branch is the span.
Frequently asked questions
What is a good span of control?
It depends on the work. Similar, routine roles can sustain wide spans; complex or senior roles usually need narrower ones. Outliers against peers matter more than any single number.
How does span of control affect an org chart?
Wide spans make the chart wide and shallow (a flat structure); narrow spans make it narrow and deep (a tall hierarchy).
Ready to chart your team?
The editor opens with a starter org chart. List your people one per row, and the chart rebuilds itself as you type. No signup required to get started.
Create Your Org Chart Free