Graicunas Theory Of Bridge Of Command - Illustration In Addition To Formula

Graicunas Theory of Span of Control

Vytautas Andrius Graiciunas (1898-1952) was a Lithuanian french management consultant, management theorist too 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.,

1. Direct Single Relationships,
2. Direct Group Relationships, and
3. 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 besides increases nearly geometrically (like 1, 6, 18, 44, 100, 244, etc.). Therefore, a superior tin alone command a express issue of subordinates, too anything beyond this confine is really difficult to control.

Example of Graicunas Theory

V.A. Graicunas Theory tin hold out explained alongside the assistance of this elementary example.

For example, catch Gaurav (G) is a superior (boss) too Manoj (M) too 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) too Sameer (S):-

(a) Direct Single Relationships :-

G alongside M, too G alongside S, i.e. a full of two straight unmarried relationships.

(b) Direct Group Relationship :-

G alongside m inwards presence of S, too G alongside southward inwards presence of M, i.e. a full of two straight grouping relationships.

(c) Cross Relationships :-

M alongside S, too southward alongside M, i.e. in 1 lawsuit 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 = half-dozen 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 hold out 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 five subordinates (n=5) thence the issue of relationships (r) which he has to command tin hold out calculated equally follows:-

The to 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 thence at that spot is an increment inwards the Direct Single Relationships, Direct Group Relationships too Cross Relationships.

So, equally the issue of subordinates increases arithmetically, the issue of relationships amid them besides increases nearly geometrically.

So, according to him, a top-level managing director tin effectively larn by alone 222 relationships. Therefore, a top-level managing director should non bring to a greater extent than than half-dozen subordinates. Similarly, a lower-level managing director should non bring to a greater extent than than xx subordinates.

Limitations of Graicunas Theory

The Graicunas Theory is criticised because of the next reasons:-

1. He gives to a greater extent than importance to the numerical factor.
2. He gives to a greater extent than importance to the relationships.