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Optimize Span of Control

Increase cost containment, productivity, and people management capabilities by optimizing span of control.

Contrary to popular belief, widening the span of control by reducing the number of managers does not always correlate to cost savings. Span of control isn't a math problem; it’s an organizational effectiveness problem.

Executive Summary

Critical Insight

There’s no magic number when it comes to span of control; to be agile in the face of rapid change, organizations must be strategic in aligning span of control with organizational goals in both the short and the long term.

Impact & Result

Use McLean & Company’s customized span of control process to effectively prepare to restructure, including the following activities:

  • Collection and analysis of organizational data to identify span of control patterns, extract insights, and determine pain points.
  • Assessment of the five critical factors that impact span of control, from both an organizational and a functional perspective.
  • Review of the various cost-saving scenarios through widening span of control.
  • Establishment of high-level span of control parameters to guide customization efforts.
  • Tracking of organizational and project metrics.

Research & Tools

1. Determine current span of control

Select span of control project team, collect current data, and review data to extract insights.

2. Assess impacts on current span of control

Assess span of control impacts on the organization, brainstorm cost savings, and determine next steps.

3. Prepare to deploy initiative

Set scope and timeline, develop optimization process, and conduct information sessions in preparation for project implementation.

4. McLean Academy Learning Snapshot

Watch this learning snapshot for an introduction to developing an organizational design.

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