what is the ideal ratio between a manager and its subordinate?
Asked by Jessica H
What is the ideal ratio between a manager and its subordinate? I've read Harvard Business Review a few years back, they researched it and mention 1:10. I just want to reconfirm this. Is 1:10 ideal?

Best Answer:
Despite all the current negative publicity, the military usually has a pretty good fix on these things and the ratio seems to be dependent on ability, or in this case rank. In the army two "fire teams" of four of five men report to a "squad leader". In Britain, as well as the United States, he is an NCO; However, they use the title "section leader". The Marines have three "fire teams" of four men each reporting to a commissioned officer. Because most business agendas rarely include advancing on a redoubt or fortification, I would say the HBR ratio is more of a minimum and was probably influenced greatly by this standardized military organization. Good Luck.