The Functions of Management

The Functions of Management

Management is the process of working with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals (Bateman and Snell, 2007, p.26). Management can also be viewed as creative problem solving. In order to have a successful company, managers need to adhere to the four functions of management: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. With the growing global competitiveness in today's industries, companies need to be more innovative in using these four functions in order to complete tasks. Managers who successfully perform these four functions within the organization will have a better chance of succeeding with the overall goals. This paper will define the meaning of these functions and how they relate to my organization.

Planning: Setting Goals

Planning is the foundation area of management. Management is the ongoing process of developing the company's mission and objectives. The planning stage will determine how the goals will be reached and what strategy will be used for each specific goal. Planning activities include analyzing current situations, anticipating the future, determining objectives and deciding what types of activities the company will engage in to bring the company to the next level.

Organizing: Working Together

The second function of management is getting prepared and organized. Management must organize all its resources to be able to carry out the course of action that has been planned. Through this process, management will focus on dividing the work accordingly, coordinate, and control the tasks and the flow of information within the organization. Management also has to decide for appropriate departments to hand over authority and responsibilities.

Leading: Coordination

Leading, the third function of management, is influencing people's behavior via motivation, communication, teamwork, and leadership. The purpose of leading is to guide the behavior of all employees to accomplish the organization's mission and objectives while at the same time helping them achieve their career goals. Maintaining a productive working environment and building positive interpersonal relationships is accomplished with effective interpersonal and organizational communication.

Controlling: