FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT

Prepared : by Coleen Hayles-SmithPrepared : by Coleen Hayles-SmithSubject : Principles of BusinessSubject : Principles of BusinessClass : 10TClass : 10T

What is Management?

According to Robinson and Hamil (2001), management is the bringing together of all the resources, human and non-human, in an effort to meet the goals of an organization.

Management involves the collective effort of all managers working towards achieving the organization’s

goals.

Functions of Management

Planning;

Organizing;

Staffing;

Leading or Directing;

Motivating;

Controlling;

Coordinating;

Delegating;

Planning

Planning is the management function concerned with defining goals for future organisational performance and deciding on the tasks and

resources needed to attain them.

N.B. Lack of planning or poor planning will cause the organization to be continually drifting. Consequently, it will be unable to fulfil its

mission and this will inevitably lead to demise.

An example of planning

In setting up a football league in your community, the group of community leaders may come together to state the form it will take, when it will happen, who will be involved, decide on the prizes and many other activities. At the end broad

statements would be made, such as:

The Spanish Town League will be a football league organized to promote the development of football among the youths in

the Spanish Town District. This league aims to improve community integration and develop the skills of the game.

This group is in fact planning the activity.

Organising

Organising involves:

The bringing together of the factors of production namely: land, labour, capital and enterprise.

Designing a structure Assigning duties and responsibilities to departments, Determining the workflow Establishing schedules Providing the raw materials, the technology and the related

skills needed to accomplish the goals of the organization.

These activities must be properly coordinated.

Example

Having decided on the establishment of a football league and having planned the goals of the

organization, the community leaders will proceed to develop fixtures (schedule of

matches), decide where the games will be played (land), identify the officials and players needed (labour), decide on the prizes, draw up

the rules and procedures (enterprise) and obtain the necessary equipment (capital).

Staffing

This function involves filling the vacancies with the right people. It involves not only

the recruitment process but also the subsequent development of persons

within the organization.

Example

In the league, persons may volunteer to fill positions that require leadership skills, which they do not possess. Training of

personnel becomes necessary and eventually the leadership functions may

be shared.

Directing

This function is concerned with getting people to perform assigned tasks willingly

and in an efficient and effective manner.

Motivating

This is the process by which workers are influenced to take the right action to get

the task done. It inspires workers to give of their best.

Example

In the league, motivation will be the prize of incentives the team receives or it may be the recognition or promotion to another

division. This stimulus spurs the team to improved performance.

Controlling

This function involves monitoring employees’ activities, determining

whether the organization is on target in achieving its goals and making

corrections as necessary.

Example

In the game of football, fair play is important, thus the referee’s role is to

ensure that the players observe the rules. He uses rewards (free kicks) and

punishments (yellow cards) in order to control the game.

Coordinating

This function involves making all the resources in the business work together

efficiently. This avoids confusion and duplication of activities between

departments.

Example

In the football league, the members will specialise in different roles and all will work together to plan matches. With proper coordination, all the different

activities will be completed on time and there will be no duplication.

Delegating

This function involves assigning work activities to subordinates (employees who take orders from manager or supervisor).

Delegation is important because managers have more time for planning

and decision-making if they pass on activities to employees. It also helps

employees to learn new things.

Example

The person who is in charge of the football league should assign different activities to

other members. If the person in charge tries to do everything, he or she will

become exhausted and will be unable to perform his or her duties.

Any Questions?Any Questions?