Layers and Spans of Control Chart
Detailed guide to using the Layers and Spans of Control chart
The Layers and Spans of Control chart is a matrix showing how many managers fall into different span-of-control ranges across layers or departments. It immediately surfaces where spans are too narrow (compression) or too wide (overload).
What It Shows
X-axis (columns) — Span of control groupings (e.g., 1–2, 3–5, 6–9, 10–15, 16–25)
Y-axis (rows) — Layers, Department, KLT Area, Pay Grade, or Location
Cell values — Count of managers in each combination
Example: "In Growth, 114 managers have SOC 1–2, concentrated at layers 5 and 6."
Configuration
Span groupings (gear icon) — Customize ranges to match your needs. Recommended settings: exclude 0–0 (ICs), include 1–2, 3–5, 6–9, 10–15, 16–25, 26–40. Drag to reorder from smallest to largest.
Y-axis — Layers (default) for layer-by-layer analysis; Department or KLT Area for cross-functional comparison; Pay Grade for compensation level analysis.
Filters — Apply a KLT area or department filter to analyze one org at a time — clearer patterns emerge with a focused scope.
Interpreting the Data
High concentrations in 1–2 span columns — Potential compression — leaders managing minimal teams. Some 1:1 relationships are legitimate (e.g., VP of Strategy under CEO), but many indicate structural inefficiency.
High spans (16–25+) — Potential overload — evaluate based on work type, standardization, and manager experience. Not always problematic.
Layer distribution patterns:
Many narrow spans at senior levels (layers 1–3) — top-heavy, senior leadership compression
Many narrow spans at lower levels (layers 5–6) — compression in the execution layer
Balanced distribution — healthy structure
Common Use Cases
Budget planning — Configure chart > filter to one KLT area > identify high concentrations in the 1–2 range > note layers of concern > navigate to org chart with Spotlight (Direct SOC = 1–2) to investigate specifics.
Leadership compression — Set Y-axis to Pay Grade > focus on senior levels > look for narrow spans at top pay grades > use Show Table to see specific positions.
Cross-department comparison — Filter to Dept A, note the pattern, screenshot; switch to Dept B and compare — which has more narrow spans? Which structure could inform the other?
Interactive Features
Show Table — Click to see the position-level breakdown behind each cell: exact lists, all attributes, and exportable data.
Clickable cells — Click a cell to drill in and filter to that span/layer combination.
Export
PNG for presentations, PowerPoint for editable charts (recommended for budget decks), CSV (via Show Table) for quantitative analysis.
Troubleshooting
Too many rows (too many layers)
Filter to specific layers or a smaller org scope
Numbers seem wrong
Verify active filters; check if the 0–0 grouping is included (inflates counts with ICs)
Can't see narrow spans clearly
Break down further: 1–1, 2–2, 3–3 groupings for more granularity
Related Resources
Last updated
Was this helpful?