Four Functions of Management

Management is the process of working together with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals. (Bateman-Snell, 2006) Good managers do these things by using the four functions of management, also known as the management process. The four functions are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Even though the face of business is changing daily, these four time-tested principles still remain constant. Each of these functions plays a different role in helping the manager reach his or her goals. This paper will explore each of these functions deeper to examine what each function contributes to the management process.

The most important function in the management process is planning. Planning is generally the first step taken in beginning any sort of project or task. Planning provides a way to stay organized during a project. It also provides a way to measure progress during a project. For example, a home improvement project would not be attempted without planning. During the planning phase, measurements are taken, blueprints are laid out, and budgeting is considered. If a person were to go to a store without planning first, he or she has no way of knowing exactly what is needed to accomplish the project they set out to do. The same is true in the business world. Strategic planning helps identify an organization’s long term goals based on overall business objectives. Once strategic planning has taken place, a series of smaller, short-term goals are developed based on the strategic plan in order to place the organization in a better position in which to conduct business. During the planning phase, specific goals are decided upon. This is also the phase where business related tasks are analyzed, numbers are crunched, and objectives are determined. Planning can be done in any number of ways and can include any number of people. For example, a business may sit down to discuss strategy and goals with shareholders, company executives, customers, and suppliers to develop a plan that will benefit the above mentioned people. It has been said that if “you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Even though this statement is an old clichй, it holds absolutely true.

Once the planning phase is complete, a company can begin the organizing phase. It is during this phase when an organization will assemble and coordinate the pieces and parts necessary to accomplish the goals that were determined during the planning phase. Referring back to the home improvement project example, the person managing the project would now enlist help of contractors, as well as gather supplies and anything else needed for successful completion of the project. In the business world, this phase would consist of delegating tasks, coordinating work units, identifying business functions, and obtaining necessary resources to ensure a successful launch of the project.

The next phase an organization will enter during a project is the leading phase. There are many different functions associated with leading. A successful leader works daily in close relationship to team members, departments, and upper management. A good leader knows how to motivate his or her employees in order to achieve maximum success. A leader sets out guidelines and develops smaller goals for his or her team to stay in the parameters of the original plan. The leading phase is all about people: their ideas, suggestions, determination, and attitudes