Functions of Management

Functions of Management

Management, according to Merriam-Webster, is defined as 1: the act of managing: the conducting or supervising of something (business) 2: judicious use of means to accomplish an end and 3: the collective body of those who manage or direct an enterprise. (www.m-w.com).

There are four major functions of management. The first function is the planning stage. Dessler (2003), comments that planning is the means of establishing goals and standards; developing rules and procedures; and developing plans and forecasting. This function is a developing stage that is ongoing and develops the organizations objectives and mission and determines how they will be accomplished. Planning deals not only with the big picture of an organization, such as the mission, but also small tasks, such as implementing rules for accomplishing goals specific to that organization. Planning may be the most important function an organization can perform. Without a sense of direction, how can managers know what to control and where to lead?

The next function, organizing, focuses on coordination, division, the flow of information within an organization, and overall command and control. With this function management delegates responsibilities. In this function, management creates a structure of the working relationships between employer and employees that allows them to work together to achieve the goals of the organization.

The third function, leading, is very crucial as it deals with influencing behaviors through communication, leadership and discipline, and motivation. A leader determines directions and has a clear vision for employees to follow; in addition a leader also helps employees understand their roles in the organization. Leadership tactics involve using influence, vision, persuasion or any other means necessary to get their points across. A good leader has the ability to have everyone work together to accomplish the organizations objectives and mission while still helping individuals accomplish their own career goals. The outcome of quality leadership, provided the leader is fair, is usually a higher level of commitment and motivation from employees to an organization.

The final function, controlling, entails several different aspects. To have control means that one is able to takes preventive or corrective actions when disruption occurs or even allows for the making of clear and applicable instructions. Control, in addition, allows for the measuring of actual job performance based on the organizations objectives, and also establishes performance standards. Control is needed within an organization in order to know where the organization currently is and where the organization has the potential to go.

In my profession, the Army, our commanders are responsible for the planning function. Planning is the means by which the Commander sets a goal; envisions a desired outcome; lays out effective ways of achieving it; and communicates to his subordinates his vision, intent, and decisions, focusing on the results he expects to achieve. The Commander's knowledge, personality and experience and the way they interact with their staff and units is the main reason why the planning process is more often than not successful. In most cases the Commander's staff does most of the fine tuning and preparations of these plans, however the Commander's role is very critical in that he lets you know this by his commander's intent. In other words this is what he expects to happen. This intent lets the staff and subordinates know what is to take place.

Once the plans are complete the organizing comes into play. Overall operations are concentrated upon, but not every single detail of a particular plan is discussed. Leaders at all levels are involved in the organization process but must be very disciplined and pay close attention to what the Commander's intent is. At this level mission orders are then produced by staff. Mission orders are techniques for completing combat orders. Subordinates at this level are given a little freedom of coming up with their own plan of