Scalar chain refers to chain of communication and command (authority) wherein, a manager has to communicate only with his immediate subordinate/superior in a normal situation. But sometimes, it becomes essential to cut short the chain of command or to depart from the prescribed route, with a view to ensure fast and effective communication.
In such a case, gang plank should be used. Fayol’s gang plank allows two individuals at same level to deal directly with each other during emergencies.
Fayol’s gang plank concept is shown in figure below :
In this, there are two chains ABCDEFG and ALMNOPQ, if D wants to communicate with N, then he has to start with CBALM then N, but according to gang plank and to minimise delay in communication, the people at the same level can commnicate directly. Hence, D could directly talk to N.1
