Five Rules of Management

1. Planning

Planning is looking ahead. According to Fayol, drawing up a good plan of action is the hardest of the five functions of management. This requires an active participation of the entire organization. With respect to time and implementation, planning must be linked to and coordinated on different levels.  Planning must take the organization’s available resources and flexibility of personnel into consideration as this will guarantee continuity.

2. Organizing

An organization can only function well if it is well-organized. This means that there must be sufficient capital, staff and raw materials so that the organization can run smoothly and that it can build a good working structure.  The organizational structure with a good division of functions and tasks is of crucial importance. When the number of functions increases, the organization will expand both horizontally and vertically. This requires a different type of leadership. Organizing is an important function of the five functions of management.

3. Commanding

When given orders and clear working instructions, employees will know exactly what is required of them. Return from all employees will be optimized if they are given concrete instructions with respect to the activities that must be carried out by them. Successful managers have integrity, communicate clearly and base their decisions on regular audits. They are capable of motivating a team and encouraging employees to take initiative.

4. Coordinating

When all activities are harmonized, the organization will function better. Positive influencing of employees’ behaviour is important in this. Coordination therefore aims at stimulating motivation and discipline within the group dynamics. This requires clear communication and good leadership. Only through positive employee behaviour management can the intended objectives be achieved.

5. Controlling

By verifying whether everything is going according to plan, the organization knows exactly whether...