Chain of command

The chain of command is the formal line of authority showing who reports to whom. Instructions can travel down it, while reports and requests travel up it. For instance, a sales assistant might report to a supervisor, who reports to a store manager.

The chain of command is the formal line of authority from senior management down through the business. The span of control is the number of employees reporting directly to one manager. A manager might be responsible for an entire department but directly supervise only its team leaders.

The chain of command is the formal line of authority from senior management down to more junior employees. In the shop, one chain runs from owner → shop manager → sales assistant.