Four Functions of Management
The Four Functions of Management
Marlowe McConnell
MGT 330
January 13, 2013
Kathleen Dominick
The Four Functions of Management Management requires a person to think strategically and organize a plan in order to be successful and build a lasting relationship with both the company that they work for and the team that they are leading. To achieve this, managers needs to implement the four functions of management; planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The four functions of management are used in all industries and all management should effectively understand and utilize this skill to be the most productive and successful. Planning is the first step in the four functions; managers should create a detailed action plan aimed at some organizational goals (Education Portal, 2013). A plan should have a detailed set of goals to be achieved and the actions needed to reach those goals. The plan can be revised as goals are met or objectives change. The plan should include the objectives needed to reach the goal, obstacles that may arise, actions to reach the goal and to deal with obstacles, alternative courses of action, derivative plans, motivational tools, and how to implement a course of action. Strategic plan, tactical plan or an operational plan are usually implemented by the different levels of management in order to reach the different goals of an organization. A strategic plan would include the entire organization and a formulation of different objectives, this plan is usually a long term plan that is set for three or more years and is the main plan that the company is trying to reach. Tactical plans generally are used to reach the strategic plan and often are used short term by the middle management. Operational planning is the plan that is used to reach specific objectives, this is what most employees are working towards, and for example this is the quota that the employees are striving to reach. A solid plan assists in keeping the goal
Marlowe McConnell
MGT 330
January 13, 2013
Kathleen Dominick
The Four Functions of Management Management requires a person to think strategically and organize a plan in order to be successful and build a lasting relationship with both the company that they work for and the team that they are leading. To achieve this, managers needs to implement the four functions of management; planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. The four functions of management are used in all industries and all management should effectively understand and utilize this skill to be the most productive and successful. Planning is the first step in the four functions; managers should create a detailed action plan aimed at some organizational goals (Education Portal, 2013). A plan should have a detailed set of goals to be achieved and the actions needed to reach those goals. The plan can be revised as goals are met or objectives change. The plan should include the objectives needed to reach the goal, obstacles that may arise, actions to reach the goal and to deal with obstacles, alternative courses of action, derivative plans, motivational tools, and how to implement a course of action. Strategic plan, tactical plan or an operational plan are usually implemented by the different levels of management in order to reach the different goals of an organization. A strategic plan would include the entire organization and a formulation of different objectives, this plan is usually a long term plan that is set for three or more years and is the main plan that the company is trying to reach. Tactical plans generally are used to reach the strategic plan and often are used short term by the middle management. Operational planning is the plan that is used to reach specific objectives, this is what most employees are working towards, and for example this is the quota that the employees are striving to reach. A solid plan assists in keeping the goal
References: Education Portal. (January, 2013). Four Funtions of Management: Planning, Organizing, Leading & Controlling. Retrieved from http://education-portal.com Expert Manag: manage ahead. (n.d.). Management and Leadership: Four Functions of Management. Retrieved from http://www.expertmanage.org Helms, M. M. (2006). Encyclopedia of Management (5th ed.). Detroit, MI: Gale Publishing.