Four Functions of Management
The four functions of management are the essence of every organization. The individuals responsible for carrying out the organization’s mission fill both management and non-management roles. Even though both are very important to the success of any organization, the managers have the responsibility of setting the example and shaping the culture of the organization. Their management styles are essential in making sure that other employees work cohesively to achieve their work responsibilities and be productive. The four functions of management are important benchmarks that every manager should consider when they are handed the important task of being leaders in their organization. These functions are: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling (Bateman & Snell, 2008, p. 19-22):
Planning is a non-stop process that is broad, strategic, and requires a consistent methodical approach. A major objective in continuity planning is to set goals and define the path in what is needed to achieve them. Our fore thought in planning directly impacts the outcome during an exercise or actual continuity event. Although such a simple management tool to use, front-line managers often see other organizations fail to plan correctly for catastrophic emergencies. Even after the events of September 11, many government agencies still are non-compliant with strict federal continuity practices mandated by several oversight government agencies. The only way to justify this is to say human nature leans toward adaptive behavior rather than to plan ahead. Several challenges facing continuity practices today are engaging employees who haven’t been in some way affected by real world events such as ...