Which term refers to the formal line of authority that extends from the highest level to the lowest level?

Which term refers to the formal line of authority that extends from the highest level to the lowest level?

• A. Chain of Command
• B. Span of Control
• C. Command and Control Relationships
• D. Authority

Answer: (A)

The concept here is the chain of command. It describes the formal line of authority that runs from the highest level down to the lowest, showing who has the power to make decisions and issue orders, and who must follow them. This clear vertical flow keeps everyone aligned, ensures accountability, and helps coordination across all levels of an organization. Span of control is about how many subordinates a single supervisor can effectively oversee, not the vertical path of authority. Command and control relationships refer to how different parts of an organization or system interact in terms of authority and coordination, rather than the strict, formal line from top to bottom. Authority is the power to give orders, but by itself it doesn’t specify the full structure of who reports to whom.

The concept here is the chain of command. It describes the formal line of authority that runs from the highest level down to the lowest, showing who has the power to make decisions and issue orders, and who must follow them. This clear vertical flow keeps everyone aligned, ensures accountability, and helps coordination across all levels of an organization.

Span of control is about how many subordinates a single supervisor can effectively oversee, not the vertical path of authority. Command and control relationships refer to how different parts of an organization or system interact in terms of authority and coordination, rather than the strict, formal line from top to bottom. Authority is the power to give orders, but by itself it doesn’t specify the full structure of who reports to whom.