Functions of Management

Functions of Management

Management is the process of working with people and resources to accomplish organizational goals. In today's business, world managers use the four traditional fundamental management functions.

The four traditional fundamental functions of management are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Planning consists of specifying goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve the specified goals.

The activities involved in the planning process consist of analyzing current situations, and determine what resources are needed and available to achieve the organizations desired goals and outcomes. This also includes anticipating future events, determine objectives, deciding on agreed upon activities the organization will participate in, as well as choosing the planned business strategies.

In the organization, I work in the planning process focuses on identifying the organizations competencies, analyzing staff demographics, as well as identifying employment trends, completion, benefits, and wages. This process provides current information on the organization; present staff and the outcome of staff turnover if management action is not taken.

The planning process also includes looking at the changes driven by changing workload and changing the work processes. Technology will continue to have an impact on how work is performed and must be continually evaluated. The planning process includes ongoing periodic evaluations of the organizations plan, reviewing mission and objective to assure they remain valid and make any necessary changes.

Organizing is the next management function, which follows planning. The organizing function is a combination of human, physical, and financial resources, which are important facts for the successful function of an organization. A manager must always organize to get results.

In my organization, a major part of organizing is done by departmentation. We have several different programs that management has organized to combine similar program activities into different departments. Management also used the organizing function to ensure each individual is made aware of their authority, and understands whom they take orders from and who they are accountable to, as well as report to. All staff in the organization has a clear understanding or the organizational structure.

The leading function in management theory is used in stimulating employees to be high performers. This includes motivating and communicating with employee's both individually and in groups. Leading also involves working daily with people, helping to guide and inspire them toward achieving both team and organizational goals. Managers must be good at mobilizing people to contribute their ideas and think outside the box.

A good leader inspires employees, boosts morale, and