Functions of Management
In this ever-changing and dynamic society in which we live, the four primary functions of management remain essentially the same. Even with the rapid advancing of technology and all kinds of business endeavors that transcend national boundaries moving us toward a more global economy, the four primary functions of management continue to be relevant. Commonly known and accepted throughout the business world, as well as the academic community, these four primary functions are: planning, organizing, leading and controlling.
Management can be summed up as a collaborative effort of people and resources, with a hierarchy of leadership and subordinates, working together to achieve a common end. According to T. Bateman and S. Snell (2007), the four functions of management can be defined as this: "Planning is analyzing a situation, determining the goals that will be pursued, and deciding in advance the actions needed to pursue these goals. Organizing is assembling and coordinating human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals. Leading involves the manager's efforts to stimulate high performance by employees. Controlling is monitoring the progress of the organization or the work unit toward goals and then taking corrective action if necessary." (The Functions of Management section, Management Chapter 1).
I have observed and have been an active participant in the four primary functions of management throughout my professional career as a military service member serving in the world's finest Navy and as a BMW technician employed within a franchised new car dealership environment. Onboard a military warship, proper planning is paramount to the fulfillment of its most critical role: to maintai ...