Fayol's Four Functions of Management Relating to an Interviewed Manager

Fayol’s Four Functions of Management

Relating to

An Interviewed Manager

The Commonwealth Bank is a large-scale multinational organisation based in Australia, it has been in operation since 1912 and specializes in financial services. The bank currently employs over 38,000 employees and has over 1000 branches nationally. It has been a publicly listed company since 1991 after previously being government owned (Commonwealth Bank). A management questionnaire was recently conducted with a female front line manager from a Commonwealth Bank branch. This questionnaire focused on how the manager coordinates and oversees the work activity of others so that their activities are completed efficiently and effectively (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg and Coulter, 2009, p.10) in relation to Fayol’s four functions of management (planning, organizing, leading, controlling). Although the manager is discussed in terms of Fayol’s functions other theories are also discussed such as Mintzberg’s approach to management (management roles). This comparison of management theories may enable the bank manager’s actions to be understood as part of management when they do not fall under Fayol’s functions.

The first of Fayol’s functions is an important one as stated by Carroll. S, J and Gillen. D, J (1987) “Skill in planning was one of the strongest predictors of managerial success.” As planning is such a pivotal function (used 19% of managers’ time (Carroll, S & Gillen, D. 1987 p.41) it is used extensively by the interviewed manager in their approach to management. By definition planning is “the management function that involves defining goals, establishing strategies for achieving those goals and developing plans to integrate and coordinate activities.” (Robbins, Bergman, Stagg and Coulter, 2009, p.12) The interviewed manager uses each part of the management function of planning for her small group of people (5-19). As a front-line manager she is required to be involved in this...