Which of the following best describes span of control?

The concept of span of control refers specifically to the number of employees who report directly to a manager. This measurement is crucial in organizational structure as it impacts how effectively a manager can supervise and support their team. A wider span of control means that a manager supervises more employees, which can lead to challenges in managing workload and maintaining effective communication. Conversely, a narrower span allows for closer management oversight but can increase costs if too many managers are needed for a small number of employees.

The other options do not accurately capture the definition of span of control. The number of managers overseeing an organization does not reflect the direct relationship between a manager and their immediate team. The hierarchy of management levels pertains to the organizational structure and levels of authority rather than the specific relationship between a manager and their direct reports. Lastly, the amount of decision-making power a manager has relates more to their authority and role within the organization, rather than the scope of control over employees. Understanding the span of control is vital for assessing managerial effectiveness and organizational efficiency.