Dividing large jobs into smaller tasks that are assigned to individuals is an example of which organizational concept?

• A. Division of labor
• B. Delegation
• C. Unity of command
• D. Span of control

Answer: (A)

Dividing large jobs into smaller tasks assigned to individuals is division of labor. This approach breaks work into specialized, repeatable steps and assigns each step to a specific person. The benefit is greater efficiency and skill development—people become experts at a clearly defined task, which speeds up completion and improves coordination on the job. In practice, large tasks are decomposed so each crew member knows exactly what to do and when, reducing overlap and confusion.

This differs from delegation, which is about entrusting a person with authority to carry out a task rather than dividing the work itself. Unity of command focuses on reporting relationships—each person reports to one supervisor—rather than how work is divided. Span of control concerns how many subordinates a supervisor can effectively manage, not how tasks are split among the team.