Functions of Management

Running head: FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT

Functions of Management

December 20, 2010

Functions of Management

There are four primary functions of management that are needed to ensure a business will be successful. The functions are planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. These are age old concepts which continue to be relevant in the working world. While there are many things that are required to be a successful manager, these four concepts are vital to being all that a manager can be.

“Planning, or delivering strategic value, is systematically making decisions about the goals and activities that an individual, a group, a work unit, or the overall organize will pursue.” (Snell & Bateman, 2009, p. 19) Planning involves determining what types of activities the company will pursue, analyzing the current situation, anticipating the future, choosing different strategies and materials for achieving the business’ goals, all while keeping the company’s vision and mission in mind. Planning is generally the first step in managing a business. It is the foundation in which you begin the process of good management. I work at a law firm where planning is taken care of by the office manager and the partners of the firm. The office manager or the partners come up with an idea for evolving the business, and then the office manager takes the necessary steps to carry out the task. An example of this would be when our firm hires a new employee, there are two interviews, one with the partner(s) and one with the office manager. After both parties have considered and met with each other, they determine whether or not to hire that person.

The next step in managing is organization. “Organizing is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals.” (Snell & Bateman, 2009) This is when a manager must be sure to assign tasks, specify jobs for certain people, creating departments, allocating...