# User manager count should be retrievable

The Manager attribute is frequently used in governance workflows, approval chains, and identity lifecycle processes.

Source: https://maester.dev/docs/tests/AD-USER-15

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<div class="test-byline"><div class="test-byline-avatars"><a class="test-byline-avatar test-byline-avatar--author" href="/contributors/soulemike" title="Michael Soule · Original author"><img src="https://github.com/soulemike.png" alt="Michael Soule" width="28" height="28" loading="lazy" decoding="async" /></a></div><div class="test-byline-meta"><span class="test-byline-text">Contributed by <a href="/contributors/soulemike">Michael Soule</a></span><a class="test-byline-link" href="/contributors">All contributors →</a></div></div>

<p class="test-part">Part of <a href="/docs/tests/ad">Active Directory</a> · Active Directory · Users · <a href="/docs/tests">All checks</a></p>

```powershell title="Run this check"
Invoke-Maester -TestId AD-USER-15
```

## Overview

The `Manager` attribute is frequently used in governance workflows, approval chains, and identity lifecycle processes. Missing or inconsistent manager data can weaken access review quality.

- **Governance readiness**: Supports manager-based approval and review processes
- **Data quality insight**: Shows how complete identity metadata is across the domain
- **Operational control**: Helps identify where HR or provisioning integrations may be incomplete

#### Control Type

**Detective**

#### Security Recommendation

- Populate manager data for workforce identities where appropriate
- Validate synchronization from authoritative systems such as HR platforms
- Use complete manager relationships to strengthen approval and certification processes

#### How the Test Works

This test counts user objects where the `Manager` attribute contains a non-empty value.

#### Related Tests

- `Test-MtAdUserHomeDirectoryCount` - Highlights legacy user provisioning attributes
- `Test-MtAdUserProfilePathCount` - Identifies additional operational dependencies

## Details

<details>
<summary>Every attribute of this check</summary>

| Field | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Test ID | AD-USER-15 |
| Severity | Info |
| Suite | Active Directory |
| Product | Active Directory |
| Feature | Users |
| Area | Identity lifecycle and hygiene |
| Resource type | User |
| MITRE ATT&CK | None |
| PowerShell test | [Test-MtAdUserManagerSetCount](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-15.ps1) |
| Services | ActiveDirectory |
| Permissions | ActiveDirectory:Ldap:user:ReadProperty |

</details>

## Source

- Test: [`tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-15.ps1`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-15.ps1)
- Documentation: [`tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-15.md`](https://github.com/maester365/maester/blob/main/tests/ad/user/Test.AD-USER-15.md)