Discipline in Safety

INTRODUCTION TO POLEC

Principles of management have long been categorized into the four major functions of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling (the POLEC framework). The four functions, summarized in the POLEC figure, are actually highly integrated when carried out in the day-to-day realities of running an organization. POLEC functions of management provide a very useful way of classifying the activities managers engage in as they attempt to achieve organizational goals.

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Figure 1 : POLEC framework

Planning

Planning is the function of management that involves setting objectives and determining a course of action for achieving those objectives. Planning requires that managers be aware of environmental conditions facing their organization and forecast future conditions. It also requires that managers be good decision makers.

Organizing

Organizing is the function of management that involves developing an organizational structure and allocating human resources to ensure the accomplishment of objectives. The structure of the organization is the framework within which effort is coordinated. The structure is usually represented by an organization chart, which provides a graphic representation of the chain of command within an organization. Decisions made about the structure of an organization are generally referred to as organizational design decisions.

Leading

Leading involves the social and informal sources of influence that you use to inspire action taken by others. If managers are effective leaders, their subordinates will be enthusiastic about exerting effort to attain organizational objectives.

Controlling

Controlling involves ensuring that performance does not deviate from standards. Controlling consists of three steps, which include (1) establishing performance standards, (2) comparing actual performance against standards, and (3) taking corrective action when necessary. Performance standards are often stated in monetary...