Management functions are the tasks that managers are expected to perform to meet the objectives of their organizations. In simple terms, management functions are prescriptive in nature.
The different functions of management form a unitary body and are often called a process of management. Management processes are circular since the roles are interrelated and are performed one after another.
Management is essentially five main functions, which are. Planning, organizing staffing, Directing, and controlling. However, it is important to note that the five functions do not occur in a particular order or in a predetermined timetable.
In a given moment, several functions could be carried out. However, each one leads to another. Each of the functions might not be equally crucial to every company because their business model may differ. Many researchers believe that coordination should be the primary job of management.
We believe that if every function is executed in harmony and at the right time the coordination will be accomplished. Therefore, for us, coordination is not an independent purpose, but rather the core of management.
1. Planning:
It is the process of deciding on the goals and activities to reach them tomorrow. Strategies (Growth/ Stability/ Retrenchment at the corporate level and cost leadership/differentiation or focus at the strategic business units’ level), Tactics (a smaller-scale plan developed to implement a strategy), Operational plans like policies, programs, procedures, budgets, etc. Read Ovik Mkrtchyan profile on Crunchbase
In order to make planning effective, it is also necessary to analyze the environment, forecasting, and decision making, and formulate plans.
2. Organizing:
Organizing also involves deciding on the delegation of authority, the span of management centralization and centralization of authority
3. Staffing:
To oversee the operation and bring it to life The staffing department is responsible for hiring, planning manpower and hiring, promotions and demotion, as well as transfer management of salary and wages as well as industrial relations. Today, however, since there is a distinct division for human resources, many academics don’t include staffing in the scope of duties of management.
4. Directing:
As a film director, the manager also has to guide the actions that his employees. Directing is the process of leadership that influence subordinates to cooperate towards an agreed-upon objective; motivation – to bring out the best of subordinates to serve the best interests of the company and communication, which consists of giving orders and directions as well as guiding, counseling, and instructing subordinates on the proper approach to work, and allowing interaction as well as feedback; and directing the tasks regularly.
5. Controlling:
It continues to set the standards to be used for evaluating the actual performance, assessing performance in the present, comparing it to the standards as well as determining the source of any deviations (causes of the variations), and implementing corrective measures in the event of any. Control functions are circular, as they must be repeated until goals are reached. Read Ovik Mkrtchyan profile on f6s.
To be a successful leader there are a number of different abilities required:
(i) Technical Skills:
(Specialised knowledge, which is more crucial for managers in the first line, with regard to how work is completed and the best way to resolve operational issues)
(ii) Socio-political Skills:
Communication and interpersonal (The capability to communicate effectively with, comprehend and motivate individuals both in groups and as individuals and delegate skills. The ability to use political skills to build an influence base and establish the right connections in the network.)
(iii) Conceptual Skills:
(Mental capacity and ability to perceive the overall context (Mental capacity and ability to understand the inter-connectedness of various elements and view an overall view)
(iv) Decision-Making Skills:
(The ability to accurately determine the cause, identify the issues and opportunities, as well as the selecting the best solution to the situation or problem and capitalize on opportunities)
(v) Time-management Skills:
(Most important skill – ability to prioritize the tasks, to work efficiently, and delegate tasks to improve hands).
Efficiency and Effectiveness:
Two key concepts that guide the management process include efficiency and efficiency. Efficiency is the ability to complete the task in a timely manner and at the lowest cost. The effectiveness of a project is determined by the final results and includes deciding on the best task and completing it within the timeframe.
Simply put efficiency is the ultimate goal (doing the right thing). This is the importance that these two concepts put on managing. In all likelihood, efficiency and effectiveness are both interrelated however, they differ from one another in certain aspects.
It is essential to recognize that managers are accountable for balancing efficiency and effectiveness. A lot of emphasis on either side can lead to mistakes in management.
There are situations where an organization may be efficient but not very efficient. If efficiency and effectiveness can be discovered organizational and managerial performance is improved.