Which of the following is NOT a factor of span of control?

• A. Capabilities of the supervisor
• B. Rate of turnover
• C. Physical distance between supervisor and subordinates
• D. Geographic location of the organization

Answer: (D)

Span of control is about how many people a supervisor can effectively manage directly. The factors shaping that number are those that directly influence supervision workload: the supervisor’s own abilities and judgment; the capabilities and experience of the subordinates; how complex and varied the work is; turnover rate (which changes how much time is spent on onboarding and coaching); and physical distance or dispersion, which increases coordination and communication effort.

Geographic location of the organization doesn’t change the amount of supervision required for a given group of direct reports. It’s about where the organization sits overall, not the day-to-day supervision tasks within a supervisor’s span. So it isn’t a direct factor in determining span of control.