span of responsibility

USAGE SUMMARY

"span of responsibility" is a correct and usable phrase in written English.
It typically refers to the range of duties, tasks, or roles a person or organization is responsible for carrying out. For example, "The executive's span of responsibility covers all aspects of the company's operations."

✓ Grammatically correct

Formal & Business

News & Media

Science

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

4 human-written examples

Given the skills and span of responsibility required, this function should sit in the marketing department.

Harvard Business Review

It is a superior simplification of reality the more so, the wider a manager's span of responsibility is.

Harvard Business Review

The notion of tolerance of responsibility could be best defined by the coefficient of responsibility but as the existing realm is the span of responsibility, the researchers recommended the term tolerance.

Asian-Pacific Journal of Second and Foreign Language Education

Local health managers have three main concerns in human resource management, regardless of their span of responsibility.

Human Resources for Health

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

56 human-written examples

"The reference architecture articulates what your organization should look like: the key areas, the span of responsibilities, and the metrics.

MIT Technology Review

A recent reduction in public sector posts and a flatter management structure in the name of efficiency and economy has meant that managers' spans of responsibility have dramatically increased.

The Guardian

Entrepreneur leaders will be asked to provide information regarding their age, sex, marital status, household parenting status, span of supervisory responsibility, time spent in current/most recent leader position, overall time spent in managerial/leadership positions, and the industry in which the participant performed managerial/leadership duties.

Journal of Global Entrepreneurship Research

(Informant 3, female, 25 years in family practice) Reviewing patient cases gave them better insight into the time span and distribution of responsibility in relation to clinical pathways, thereby potentially improving their ability to perform this task.

BMC Medical Education

In punishing the employees, the agency acknowledged that blame for the bombing fell on a range of people and spanned several levels of responsibility.

The New York Times

And the span of leadership and responsibility grows once physicians enter independent practice.

Harvard Business Review

CENTCOM's area of responsibility spans many countries in the Middle East/Near East/Persian Gulf and Central Asia.

Huffington Post

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

When using "span of responsibility", clearly define the specific tasks and areas included within that span to avoid ambiguity.

Common error

Avoid creating job descriptions where the "span of responsibility" significantly overlaps with other roles, as this can lead to confusion and conflict.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "span of responsibility" functions as a noun phrase that typically describes the scope, extent, or range of duties, tasks, or roles that a person or organization is accountable for. As Ludwig AI confirms, the phrase is correct and usable in written English.

Expression frequency: Rare

Frequent in

Formal & Business

33%

News & Media

33%

Science

33%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

The phrase "span of responsibility" refers to the scope or range of duties and accountabilities associated with a particular role or position. As Ludwig AI indicates, it is a correct and usable phrase in written English. While its frequency is relatively rare, it appears across a variety of professional contexts, including formal business settings, news articles, and scientific publications. To ensure clarity, it's crucial to define the specific tasks encompassed within the "span of responsibility". Overlapping responsibilities with other roles should be avoided to minimize confusion. Alternatives like "scope of duties" or "range of accountabilities" can be used depending on the specific context. Understanding the nuances helps in effective communication and role definition within an organization.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

scope of duties

Focuses on the specific tasks included within the responsibilities.

range of accountabilities

Emphasizes the accountability aspect of responsibilities.

extent of authority

Highlights the level of control and decision-making power associated with the role.

area of control

Focuses on the direct influence and management a person has.

sphere of influence

Suggests a broader, less direct form of control.

domain of responsibility

Emphasizes the specific field or area where responsibilities lie.

level of accountability

Highlights how accountable someone is for the results.

breadth of control

Focuses on the width or scope of the management.

reach of authority

Implies influence over something.

charge of duties

Highlights the duties a person or entity is in charge of.

FAQs

How can I use "span of responsibility" in a sentence?

You can use "span of responsibility" to describe the extent of duties or tasks assigned to a role. For example, "The manager's "span of responsibility" includes overseeing all marketing activities".

What are some alternatives to "span of responsibility"?

Alternatives include "scope of duties", "range of accountabilities", or "area of control". The best choice depends on the specific context.

Is it better to have a wide or narrow "span of responsibility"?

The ideal "span of responsibility" depends on the role and the organization's structure. A wider span can empower employees but may require strong delegation skills. A narrower span allows for more focused attention but can lead to micromanagement.

How does "span of responsibility" relate to job satisfaction?

A clearly defined and appropriately sized "span of responsibility" can contribute to job satisfaction. Too little responsibility can lead to boredom, while too much can cause stress. Matching the "span of responsibility" to an individual's skills and experience is crucial.