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management to staff ratio
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management to staff ratio
Discuss workforce management, performance management, retention, communication, motivation, contributing to business results and other topics.
Does anyone have a suggestion on what a professional firm should target for management to staff ratio (span of control)? Is this something most firms measure?
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Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » management to staff ratio
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management to staff ratio
posted at 2/2/2009 9:29 AM EST
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Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
Most companies do take this into account when designing organizations (at least, those companies which actually put some thought into OD).
You don't mention any variables which would impact this number. For example, what types of workers? How different are jobs within the managed group? Any distance/communications issues? A Supervisor of hourly workers can typically handle up to 25 or so on a production line. A manager of exempt employees, such as software engineers, could manage up to 10 although that might be a bit of a stretch. A manager of subordinate managers all with direct reports might only be able to manage 3 - 5 depending on size and diversity of responsibilities. |
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management to staff ratio
posted at 2/3/2009 3:54 AM EST
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Posts: 2
First: 2/2/2009 Last: 2/3/2009 |
Thanks, I'm primarily interested in exempt, professional technical staff to management. I'm finding it difficult to pinpoint an 'optimum' number that an organization should target. While a larger span of control would reduce costs it would potentially impact efficiency and quality. |
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management to staff ratio
posted at 2/3/2009 4:52 AM EST
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Posts: 3870
First: 2/12/2002 Last: 11/2/2009 |
Another factor to consider will be how well organized your company is. If you have lots of processes nailed down already and formalized, then your span of control can be a bit broader. If, however, part of managers jobs will be developing policies, procedures, methods etc within their areas or if they just flat out don't exist, then your span will necessarily have to be reduced. |
Forums » Topic Forums » General Forum » management to staff ratio
