Four Functions of Management

Four Functions of Management Page 2

Four Functions of Management

Management functions as a whole in the organization that I work are carried out between the different levels of the organizations. Each level builds and depends on both the level below them and on top of them. A collaboration is formed to accomplish the companies goals. Although the functions are broken down in levels within the corporation, they are broken down again with in the levels of management. All four functions are needed to successfully carry out the goals of the organization.

Planning is deciding the actions needed to be taken to achieve specific goals. “Plans set the stage for action and for major achievements”. (Bateman, Snell, pg. 17) Planning designates who, what, when, where and how. In my organization the first phase of planning is usually done by corporate officers, such as the president and vice president. They determine what direction they want the company to proceed in, when they want to reach that point, and develop a broad idea of how the object is to be carried out.

The last part of the planning process is a collaboration between the corporate officers and the regional directors. As a team, they develop a strategy for who is going to do what and which actual division will be necessary to carry out the objective.

Four Functions of Management Page 3

Organizing is defined in the text as assembling and coordination the human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals. (Bateman, Snell, pg. 17) This phase of management is usually carried out through the efforts of regional management and area management. They collectively decide which department is responsible for handling which detail of the plan, what resources they will need, and develop appropriate cohesion between the different departments for the greatest success. Area managers are responsible for actual implementation of the plan. They