Which statement below correctly describes how to manage span of control using the modular concept?
A) Span of control is less of a factor of concern for incidents that are resolved within the initial operational period.
B) Span of control may be extended beyond 1:10 in order to ensure that more resources can be deployed on complex, large incidents.
C) Span of control should be established without consideration of factors such as the type of incident, nature of the task, hazards, and safety factors.
D) Span of control is accomplished by organizing resources into Teams, Divisions, Groups, Branches, or Sections.
Correct Answer: D) Span of control is accomplished by organizing resources into Teams, Divisions, Groups, Branches, or Sections
Correct Answer Explanation:
D) Span of control is accomplished by organizing resources into Teams, Divisions, Groups, Branches, or Sections.
➦ This statement correctly describes the concept of managing span of control through a modular approach.
➦ In incident management, especially in emergency response situations like those managed by agencies such as fire departments or emergency services, organizing resources into smaller manageable units like teams, divisions, groups, branches, or sections is a common practice.
➦ By breaking down the organization into these modular units, it becomes easier to manage and supervise the resources effectively.
➦ This allows for a clear and hierarchical structure where individuals in leadership positions can oversee a specific number of subordinates, thus maintaining an appropriate span of control.
Span of Control
➦ The number of direct subordinates that a manager can control or manage is known as the “Span of Control”.
➦ An organization’s complexity determines the number of subordinates a manager manages.
➦ When the nature of the work is complex, for example, a manager may manage 4-6 subordinates, while repetitive or fixed work may be managed by 15-20 subordinates.
➦ In business management and human resource management, the term “Span of Control” is popular.
➦ A manager or supervisor can manage a maximum number of subordinates depending on the type of management and control they do.
➦ In the past, a manager was able to manage 1-4 subordinates at a time. Therefore, there were many management levels within an organization.
➦ In 1980, when information technology was introduced in business, many organizations flattened their management by reducing the number of managers. From then on, a manager could have from 1-4 to 10 subordinates.
➦ It was possible because of the low cost of information technology. As a result of technology, several middle managers’ tasks were streamlined, including the collection and manipulation of operation data.
➦ The span of control of a manager is determined by several factors, including the nature of the work, the capabilities of the manager, the capabilities of employees to be managed, and the responsibilities of a manager.
➦ Two types of control systems exist, such as a narrow and wide span of control. When a manager is in charge of 2 to 4 subordinates, they are considered narrow.
Why the other options are Incorrect?
A) Span of control is less of a factor of concern for incidents that are resolved within the initial operational period.
➦ This statement is incorrect because the span of control is always a factor of concern in incident management.
➦ Regardless of whether an incident is resolved quickly or extends over a longer period, maintaining an appropriate span of control is essential for effective and safe operations.
➦ Ignoring this aspect could lead to confusion, inefficiencies, and safety risks.
B) Span of control may be extended beyond 1:10 in order to ensure that more resources can be deployed on complex, large incidents.
➦ This statement is also incorrect. While the span of control can vary depending on the nature and complexity of the incident, extending it beyond an appropriate ratio (e.g., 1:10) can lead to difficulties in managing resources effectively.
➦ It’s essential to balance the need for resources with the ability to supervise and coordinate them adequately.
C) Span of control should be established without consideration of factors such as the type of incident, nature of the task, hazards, and safety factors.
➦ This statement is incorrect because the span of control should always take into account various factors, including the type of incident, the tasks involved, potential hazards, and safety considerations.
➦ Different incidents may require different organizational structures and span of control ratios to ensure that resources are managed appropriately and safely.
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I am Smirti Bam, an enthusiastic edu blogger with a passion for sharing insights into the dynamic world of business and management through this website.
I hold a MBA degree from Presidential Business School, Kathmandu, and a BBA degree with a specialization in Finance from Apex College,
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