What term describes the generally accepted range of supervision one person can effectively have over others?

• A. Span of control
• B. Chain of command
• C. Organizational structure
• D. Delegation model

Answer: (A)

The term that describes the generally accepted range of supervision one person can effectively have over others is referred to as "span of control." This concept emphasizes the number of subordinates that a supervisor can manage effectively. Ideally, a supervisor should not have too many direct reports, as this can overwhelm them and lead to a decrease in the quality of supervision, communication, and support for those under their care. A well-defined span of control allows for more effective oversight, better decision-making, and enhanced accountability within a team or organization.

In contrast, the chain of command pertains to the hierarchy of authority and information flow within an organization, laying out who reports to whom. The organizational structure broadly outlines how different roles and departments are arranged and how they interact. The delegation model focuses on the process of assigning responsibilities and prerogatives from one person to another. Each of these concepts plays a role in organizational management, but when specifically discussing how many people one individual can supervise, the span of control is the most applicable term.