Functions of Management

Functions of Management Paper

A manager’s job is to carry out certain functions or activities as he or she resourcefully and productively coordinates the work of others. Performing the management role effectively is not an easy task. Henri Fayol, a French industrialist from the early part of the twentieth century, composed five functions of management that include planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. These functions help create the framework for a successful manager. In the late 1900s these five functions were condensed to four basic functions including planning, organizing, leading, and controlling (Javed, 2011).

The first function, planning, allows a manager to develop objectives related to the project or activity and to determine how these objectives will be accomplished. The process of planning involves several steps. Environmental scanning, the first step in the planning function, involves identifying early signs of opportunities and threats from internal and external environments that may influence upcoming or present plans. Forecasting future conditions forms the basis for the planning function. Next, planners need to establish objectives for the project and establish a time line for each objective. The planner must also take the necessary steps to ensure an effective implementation of these plans. Last, he or she needs to evaluate the effectiveness of the established plan and take corrective measures when necessary (Javed, 2011). I work at a dentist office as a dental assistant and currently the dentist and office manager are researching current promotions given at other dental offices. The plan is to come up with an offer to bring new patients to the practice. Research has shown that many people seeking a dentist tend to go to offices that promote specials such as an examination, x-rays, and a cleaning for $39 or a free “at home” bleaching kit with a full examination, x-rays, and a cleaning. The dentist and office manager...