The Fundamental Functions Of Management

In some dictionaries, management is defined as the practice, manner and act of managing. It refers to the handling, controlling and supervision. Others define it as an executive ability, while others pertain to it as the skills in managing. Some people refer management as a group of people who manage an organization such as an executive committee in a corporation. In business school, business administration is tantamount in definition to management.

Management can be applied in oneself, to a family or in activities that require harmony. To attain a harmonious relationship would often need management. To have a well-defined business environment, an enterprise needs someone or a group of people to handle and execute the management functions and objectives to achieve the goals of the enterprise. The manager performs those functions to meet the needs of the enterprise in short term and in long-term.

Managing an enterprise can be honorable, challenging yet taxing. A person who has moved from the rank of a floor worker to a manager of a certain department after years of hard work, dedication, loyalty and competency may have the feeling of being elated and honored to finally attain that position in the same company. It is perhaps an absolute fact that being a manager spawns authority over the people under him. However, becoming a manager may not be very worthwhile as it seems. A manager has to exert efforts, knowledge and expertise to guide a group of workers as the way a shepherd tends a flock of sheep. He leads, coordinates and controls them in order to attain an enterprise's objectives, short-term goals and long-term aspirations.

A manager, in pragmatic definition, is the person that performs the management functions of an enterprise. The management functions are the fundamental aspects of management. According to Henri Fayoll, a Frenchman, there are five functions of management. They include: planning; organizing, leading, coordinating and controlling. These functions are essential to accomplish business enterprise's goals.

The management functions of business:

Planning

This is a process a manager has to undertake to come up with an outline on how to attain the objectives and aims of a business enterprise. A manager has to define the goals, blueprint a plan and has to provide details on what to do and how to implement certain business objectives. A manager would have to undertake strategic planning and tactical planning. He would have to undergo a planning process. The planning process involves collection of data and information and making an analysis on them. A manager decides, applies the decision and evaluates performances. Deciding on the business policy and coming up with methods to allocate resources are normally included in the planning process of the manager of an enterprise.

Organizing

One of the responsibilities of a manager is to translate the plan into actions. A method to attain orderliness in implementing objectives is organizing.

Managers have to make optimum utilization of the enterprise's resources. This should be done in an organized way in order to attain fully the successful implementation of the plan.

Leading

The management of an enterprise must exhibit noteworthiness to be emulated by rank and file employees. This can be done by leading them to work effectively and efficiently. The exhibition of skills through training is a way for workers to have the motivation to make a contribution to the attainment of the plan.

Coordinating

Leading workers also involves coordinating their functions. Coordination of functions can lead to harmonious relationship among workers and the management.

Controlling

When the cat is away, the mouse will play. The preceding statement has become a cliché to many people. However, it sounds true in many aspects. In a business environment, a manager makes policies to regulate the habits of workers during working hours and during their stay in business office, plants or warehouses. Regulation and monitoring are part of controlling which the manager should perform in order to check the progress of the business. In this way, the manager can come up with measures to deal any interference that can possibly occur during work in progress. It can help the management make modifications on the plan.

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