Graicunas Theory of Span of Control
Vytautas Andrius Graiciunas (1898-1952) was a Lithuanian french management consultant, management theorist together with engineer.
Image Credits © Verslo Naujienos.
In 1933, he published a newspaper called "Relationship inwards Organisation." In this paper, he mentioned 3 types of Superior-Subordinate relationships, viz.,
- Direct Single Relationships,
- Direct Group Relationships, and
- Cross Relationships.
According to V.A. Graicunas, equally the issue of subordinates increases arithmetically (like 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, etc.) the issue of relationships which the superior has to command too increases near geometrically (like 1, 6, 18, 44, 100, 244, etc.). Therefore, a superior tin exclusively command a express issue of subordinates, together with anything beyond this restrict is really difficult to control.
Example of Graicunas Theory
V.A. Graicunas Theory tin last explained alongside the assistance of this elementary example.
For example, reckon Gaurav (G) is a superior (boss) together with Manoj (M) together with Sameer (S) are his subordinates (juniors or lower-grade employees).
According to V.A. Graicunas, Gaurav (G) has to command next 3 types of relationships, alongside or amid Manoj (M) together with Sameer (S):-
(a) Direct Single Relationships :-
G alongside M, together with G alongside S, i.e. a full of two straight unmarried relationships.
(b) Direct Group Relationship :-
G alongside grand inwards presence of S, together with G alongside southward inwards presence of M, i.e. a full of two straight grouping relationships.
(c) Cross Relationships :-
M alongside S, together with southward alongside M, i.e. i time to a greater extent than a full of two cross relationships.
Therefore, full issue of relationships which Gaurav (G) has to command are:- two + two + two = vi relationships.
Thus, when the issue of subordinates is 2, the issue of relationships, which the superior (boss) has to command is 6. Similarly, when the issue of subordinates is 3, the issue of relationships to command volition last 18.
Graicunas Formula
V.A. Graicunas has explained his principle alongside the assistance of the this formula:-
By using Graicunas formula, nosotros tin detect out the issue of relationships (r), if the issue of subordinates (n) is given.
• Example of Graicunas Formula ↓
Consider this e.g. If a superior has v subordinates (n=5) thus the issue of relationships (r) which he has to command tin last calculated equally follows:-
The inwards a higher house tabular array or nautical chart was prepared past times using Graicunas formula.
According to V.A. Graicunas, when the issue of subordinates increases thus at that topographic point is an increment inwards the Direct Single Relationships, Direct Group Relationships together with Cross Relationships.
So, equally the issue of subordinates increases arithmetically, the issue of relationships amid them too increases near geometrically.
So, according to him, a top-level managing director tin effectively create create exclusively 222 relationships. Therefore, a top-level managing director should non convey to a greater extent than than vi subordinates. Similarly, a lower-level managing director should non convey to a greater extent than than xx subordinates.
Limitations of Graicunas Theory
The Graicunas Theory is criticised because of the next reasons:-
- He gives to a greater extent than importance to the numerical factor.
- He gives to a greater extent than importance to the relationships.