Functions of Management Free Essays

Functions of Management There are four functions in management. These functions are: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. This paper is explains each function and how it relates to an organization. We will write a custom essay sample on Functions of Management or any similar topic only for you Order Now The following is an explanation taken from the book Management: Leading and Collaborating in a Competitive World, by Bateman and Snell, chapter  1, 2, 3, 8, 2009. These four functions are what management is about. The first function in management is planning. Managers must have vision to accomplish the missions and goals planned. Through strategies that will lead to the objectives and finally the goal the company has. A manager must set a course of action in order to achieve his objectives and have success. Planning has a few steps such as environmental scanning, strategic planning, tactical planning and operational planning. Environmental planning consist of being conscious of the economic condition, there clients and the competition. Strategic planning consists of strategizing with the company’s competition, knowing if they can be a danger for the company. Knowing the company’s strength and weakness and how to deal with this is very important in planning. Tactical planning is long term planning. This may mean from one to three years and is used in the development of precise means in strategic planning. Operational planning is short term planning. This means plans for less than a year and is used to support tactical and strategic planning (Bauer, Carpenter, Erdogan,    2008). Planning is followed by the function in management of organizing. Organizing in management is the structural part and is the part that involves all the companies’ employees. In organizing the company they use graphics. Decisions made regarding this organizational design are referred to as organizational design decisions. Job design is the name given to the duties an employee must carry out and how these duties are executed. .The next function in management is leading. Leading is more the social capacities that can inspire the employees to do their task effectively. A manager must be an effective leader in order to make subordinates operate and meet the company’s goals. Leading requires a manager to understand his subordinates and it is important to understand diversity. Motivating the employee’s is very important and reaches the companies objectives and goals. Managing a company is not the same as leading a company. Managing means to manage the employees, to lead is to make sure the task assigned are done efficiently and on time, this may also include the rules a company has, have been followed. The leader is the guide and motivator that the tasks to be done are accomplished on time and within the company’s standards Controlling is the function in management that puts to work the plans made for the company. Controlling is based on three steps. These steps are: establishing performance standards, comparing actual performance against standards, and taking correction standards when necessary (Bauer, Carpenter, Erdogan,    2008). Budget and auditing are important when controlling. The information provided with the budget and the auditing reports are what tell a manager in what direction the company is going. The function of controlling should not be mistaken with controller or manipulative. It is important to take actions that lead the company to the goals planned. Measuring accomplishments compared to established goals is what managing is about. The management functions explained above (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) (POLC), are what best define a managers responsibilities. A good manager is a good leader that will carry out the plans made for the company and lead it to its objectives and goals. These functions provide organization and structure to a company and provide management the necessary tools to be successful in leading to the objectives planned. References Bateman, . , Snell, . 2009). Management: Leading and Collaborating in a Competitive World (8th ed. ). Retrieved from The University of Phoenix eBook Collection database.. Bauer, T. , Carpenter, M. , Erdogan, B. (2008). Principles of Management and Organizational Behavior. Retrieved from http://www. flatworldknowledge. com/pub/1. 0/principles-management-and-orga/32797#. Norman, L. (2008). What are the Four Basic Functions that make up the Management Process. Retrie ved from http://smallbusiness. chron. com/four-basic-functions-make-up-management-process-23852. html How to cite Functions of Management, Essay examples Functions of Management Free Essays Deciding on how to manufacture CleanUp Buddy is relatively easy due to AL TechVenture’s partnership with iRobot Corporation, giving iRobot Corp. the responsibility to manufacture the technology and leaving AL TechVenture with the task of the product’s final assembly as well as the packaging, marketing, and distribution activities. The 4 functions of management are: planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. We will write a custom essay sample on Functions of Management or any similar topic only for you Order Now Planning is the starting point from which the other three are built and based on. This is the part of the process where management evaluates the company’s goals and the steps needed to reach those goals. Managers must establish goals, indentify resources, set tasks according to their goals, set deadlines, and even create alternative solutions for in case an unforeseen factor affects their plans. Managers then move on to organizing. They assign the resources identified during the planning stages to each goal established and give them their tasks and deadlines. They divide up the work that needs to be done, determine the departments who will carry out the work, and then delegate the work to these departments and give them their responsibilities and deadlines. Directing is the process of managers leading and motivating resources into completing their objectives and goals. This requires the ability to communicate effectively and the ability to read personalities and knowing how to address certain personalities. Controlling is the function of management where managers assess what’s been accomplished of the goals they have established as well as determine what factors kept the goals from being completed. From there, they would need to provide a way to eliminate these causes as well as provide a new or improved course of action. With my limited partnership with iRobot Corporation signed for the next 6 years which gives them the responsibility to manufacture the technology for CleanUp Buddy, I do not need to establish manufacturing for all components. All I will need is to establish final assembly only operation of my product with the components purchased from local vendors. A big advantage to this decision is that I did not need to raise huge capital that would have hindered me starting the business in the first place. It will also help in minimizing labor cost since there will be no need to hire personnel that will create the technology. I could also use the extra capital and allocate it to hire top-notch quality control so to inspect the parts supplied by iRobot and other vendors. One drawback is that iRobot Corp. will be given control as to how to manufacture the technology and will be in charge of determining the schedule and allocating their resources as they see fit which could affect how I plan. I would be dependent on their schedule and will need a good backup plan should there be any scheduling conflicts. Since planning could be affected, it stands to reason that organizing could be affected as well since I would need to allocate necessary resources to ensure that AL TechVenture do not fall behind on schedule and will be able to meet deadlines. This decision also impact the directing and controlling since I will not be able to oversee iRobot’s personnel’s task and influence them in fulfilling their task on schedule and would not be responsible in evaluating the job performed by iRobot employees that are hired to create CleanUp Buddy’s technology How to cite Functions of Management, Essays Functions of Management Free Essays Week One Individual Paper: Functions of Management Vicky L. Minik MGT/330 January 13, 2013 Dr. Kathleen Dominick Week One Individual Paper: Functions of Management The four functions of management planning, organizing, leading, and controlling will impact greatly organizational success because no matter what type of organization it is for instance it can be retail, food, labor, construction, military, or service industries like hospitals, police, or even nonprofit organizations they all follow the four functions of management to get the job done effectively and efficiently. We will write a custom essay sample on Functions of Management or any similar topic only for you Order Now Without one of the four functions correctly carried out management will have failed and production or service will experience negative outcomes significantly. Management’s functions are to achieve goals through working with and through people (Management Innovations, 2008). Each of the four management functions are valuable, and one cannot function without the other. Managers must create a detailed action plan toward a specific goal. Determining what the organization goals are and how to achieve them, management can begin planning towards the intended objective. Setting aims and following up on the execution of the plan is a critical step in the planning process. Ensuring that the plan is both effective and efficient must be included in the initial plan. In some situations involving the employees in the planning process will empower them to get the task completed. Organizing is usually the second step in a manager’s responsibilities of his or her functions. Knowing how many people and what resources are needed for the completion of the organizations target goal is critical to the success of the company. A manager will determine how to delegate or distribute task and position employees according to the plan. Possessing all the necessary resources so that the employees can accomplish their jobs is a process in organizing for the success of the company. Without an organized workplace a manager will face negative outcomes in reaching the planned task and will reflect in job performance. The next step is leading and is accomplished by communicating, motivating, and encouraging employees toward productivity. Leading and managing is not the same thing contrary to popular belief. Leading is the influencing of people so that they will contribute to organization and group goals; it has to do predominantly with the interpersonal aspect of managing (Olum, July). A manager manages employees making sure that tasks are completed on time and policies are followed and adhered to. Employees see managers as one that will motivate and guide them to assist them to reach the firm’s goals. In an ideal situation a manager is also a leader. Managers who want to lead effectively need to discover what motivates their employees and what inspires them to reach the organization objectives. Controlling is the fourth and final step in the process in which the manager evaluates and monitors the results of the accomplished goal and its effectiveness and efficiency. Managers need to pay close attention to cost incurred while fulfilling the plan. If resources are not available because of lacking funds, the organization goal cannot be accomplished. Paying attention to the performance as well as the cost, making adjustment accordingly will assist in the company in making a profit that in turn aids the employees with job satisfaction and security. An effective manager will share this information with their employees to enhance and build trust through involvement. Being a manager involves different tasks that vary. Planning, organizing, leading, and controlling are four of the main functions that must be performed in any management position. Management is a balancing act of many diverse workings and a good manager will maintain the balance and keep employees motivated to reach the organizations goals. A manager who administers the four functions properly will be the reason why the organization will have success. References Management Innovations. (December 03, 2008). Define Management Its Functions. Retrieved from http://managementinnovations. wordpress. com/2008/12/03/define-management-its-functions Olum, Y. (July 12, 2004). Modern Management Theories and Practices. Retrieved from http://upan1. un. org/intradoc/groups/public/document/AAPAM/UNPAN025765pdf. How to cite Functions of Management, Papers