Span of control is defined as the

Span of control refers to the number of subordinates or employees that a supervisor or manager can effectively manage or control. It is the number of employees who report directly to a supervisor or manager. A narrow span of control means that a supervisor or manager has fewer subordinates to manage, while a wider span of control means that a supervisor or manager has more subordinates to manage. The span of control can be affected by various factors such as the complexity of the task, the level of experience of the supervisor, the level of training and skills of the subordinates, and the type of organization structure. A supervisor or manager with a wide span of control can delegate authority more effectively, while a supervisor or manager with a narrow span of control can provide more direct supervision and guidance to their subordinates.