Span of control is defined as the

This question tests knowledge of a key concept in organizational management.

Span of control refers specifically to the number of subordinates reporting directly to a supervisor. It measures how many people one manager or supervisor can effectively direct, coordinate, and monitor at the same time. A narrow span of control means a supervisor oversees only a few people directly, while a wide span means the supervisor is responsible for many people at once, which can affect how closely each subordinate can be supervised.

The other options describe different management ideas. The authority of the supervisor refers to the power or right the supervisor has to make decisions and give instructions, not the number of people under them. The qualification possessed by the supervisor concerns the supervisor's own training, skills, or credentials, which is unrelated to how many subordinates report to them. The number of staff in the whole organization refers to the total workforce across every level and department, which is a much broader figure than the number of people reporting to one specific supervisor.

Whenever a question defines span of control, focus on the direct reporting relationship between one supervisor and the subordinates under that particular supervisor, not the organization's total staff strength or the supervisor's personal authority or qualifications.