The four functions of management
Planning How does planning happen? Setting objective goals Developing planning premises Recognizing limitations Plan period Formulating strategies and policies
Organizing Defining jobs and activities Organizing activities Distribution of authority Balancing authority and responsibility
Directing/Leading Directing attempts to motivate and lead the employees toward the planned objectives. Directing aims to delegate tasks to subordinates, doing this the right way can be helpful in increasing the productivity of the entire organization. Directing is undertaken by all levels of the management. Directing is a very human function of management in that it deals with people on a personal basis.
Controlling happens after the planning process has been implemented and the tasks assigned. It aims to see if the results are in line with the objectives set forth in the original plan. Control is also dynamic in nature as the management can anticipate future problems, adopt necessary preventive measures, and make policy changes in time.
One extra function- Staffing is an important function because it puts the right man in the right job. Staffing is an ongoing activity as employees keep leaving and joining the company, they also retire from time to time leaving empty places in various positions.
Conclusions For any kind of organization to run smoothly, it needs to implement core management concepts. This necessitates that the four management functions - planning, organizing, directing, and controlling be precisely understood. Planning is the foundation pillar of management. It is the base upon which all other areas of management are built. Planning requires administration to assess where the company presently is and where it would be in the coming years. From there, an appropriate course of action is determined and implemented to attain the company's goals and objectives. The management must organize all its resources beforehand, to follow the course of action decided during the planning process.
Conclusions Working under directing function helps the management control and supervise the actions of the staff. The controlling function aims to check if the tasks being allotted are performed on time and according to the standards set by the quality department. Some modern management experts also include the function of staffing as an important management practice. It is very important to maintain a productive working environment, build positive interpersonal relationships and engage in problem solving. This can only be done effectively, with proper communication. Understanding the communication process and working on areas that need improvement, helps managers become more effective planners.