Four Functions to Managment

Management is defined as the process of working with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals. Today everyone has or will deal with management in one way or another. Some of us are managers, others work with managers and others ask to speak to managers. Management does not only involve managers, it’s how a manager performs their daily task. There are four basic functions in management Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling in which each function takes an important role in a manger daily activities.

Planning is one of the most common functions of management. Planning involves setting goals and determining a course of action for achieving these goals. Planning is a process that consist of several steps. The process begins with goals that management in an organization want to achieve in the present and in the future. Managers must establish goals on what needs to be achieved and when. Managers must then identify alternative courses of action for achieving goals. After evaluating the various alternatives, managers must make decisions about the best courses of action for achieving goals. They must then express necessary steps and ensure effective implementation of goals. Finally, managers must constantly evaluate the success of their goals and take corrective action when necessary.

Organizing is another function of management that involves developing an organizational structure that ensures the accomplishment of goals. Organizing ensures the duties and responsibilities of individual jobs as well as the manner in which the duties should be carried out. When a managers are not organized negative outcomes can result which can include, job satisfaction, organizational commitment and turnover in an organization (New York: Harper & Row 1973).

Leading in management involves influencing others toward the accomplishment of organizational goal. Effective leading requires the manager to motivate, communicate effectively, and effectively use power. If managers are effective leaders, their employees will be enthusiastic about making an effort toward the achievement of organizational goal. To become effective at leading, managers must first understand their employee’s personalities, values, attitudes, and emotions. (New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1955)

Controlling in management consists of two steps, which include establishing and taking action when necessary. Managers today engage in the function of controlling to some degree. The function of controlling should not be confused with control in the behavioral or manipulative sense. This function is not to allow managers to attempt to control or manipulate the personalities, values, attitudes, or emotions of their employees.(New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co. 1955) Instead, this function of controlling allows manager's to take necessary actions to ensure that the work-related activities of employees are consistent with and contributing toward the accomplishment of organizational and departmental goals.

These four functions of management are