Which term describes the number of people a manager is directly responsible for?

• A. Span of Control
• B. Chain of Command
• C. Subordinates
• D. Net Pay

Answer: (A)

Span of control is the term used to describe how many people a manager directly supervises. It matters because it defines how many direct reports a manager has, which influences supervision quality, communication, and the structure of the organization. A wider span means more people reporting to one manager, often resulting in a flatter organization; a narrower span means fewer direct reports and a taller hierarchy. The other terms describe different ideas: chain of command is about who has authority and the reporting lines, subordinates are the people who report to a manager, and net pay is the take-home salary after deductions.