Discuss the Functions of Management

The Main functions of the management are given below:

1. Planning

Planning is the most basic or Primary functions of management. Planning involves determining the objectives and selecting a course of action to achieve them. It implies looking ahead and deciding in advance what is to be done, when and where it is to be done, how and by whom it is to be done. It is helpful in more effective achievement of goals. Planning helps an organization to face uncertainty and change.

2. Organizing

Once plans are formulated, the next step is that of organizing. Organizing is the process of establishing authority-responsibility relationships among the members of the enterprise. In the words of Louis Allen, “Organizing is the process of identifying and grouping the work to be performed, defining and delegating responsibility and authority and establishing relationships for the purpose of enabling people to work most effectively together in accomplishing objectives.”

3.Staffing

Staffing is the process of filling all positions in the organization with adequate and qualified personnel. Staffing consists of manpower planning, recruitment, selection, training, compensation, integration and maintenance of employees.

4. Directing

Directing is the managerial functions of guiding, supervising, motivating and leading people towards the attainment of planned targets of performance. Directing is the executive functions of management because it is concerned with the execution of plans and polices.

5. Motivating

Motivating is the process of inspiring people to strive for the accomplishment of common goals by providing stimulat that satisfies their needs and motives. Motivation is an important determinant of job performance. Several types of incentives and rewards are used to motivate employees.

6. Communication

Communication implies exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or emotions among two or more persons with the aim of creating mutual understanding and co-operation among them. It is a continuous process of telling, .listening and understanding. Several methods of communications are Written, Oral, Visual etc. are used in communication.

7. Co-ordination

Co-ordination refers to harmonizing and integrating the activities and efforts of different individuals into teamwork. It requires integration of diverse and specialized activities towards the achievement of common goals. Manager integrates the efforts of different employees to ensure that they work as a team.

8. Controlling

Controlling is the process of ensuring that the organization is moving in the desired direction and that progress is being made towards the achievement of goals. The process of controlling involves the following steps:

a) Establishing standards for measuring work performance;

b) Measurement of actual performance and comparing it with the standards;

c) Finding variances between the standard and actual performance and the reason therefore; and

d) Taking corrective actions for correcting deviations so as to attain objectives.