Four Functions of Management
Four Functions of Management
Management: Theory, Practice and Application
August 13, 2005
Abstract
Managers tend to one of two basic problem-solving styles: systematic or intuitive. Systematic thinkers are logical and rational. They prefer narrow and focused problems, step by step processes, rules to be followed, and computer programs that grind to a recommendation. Intuitive thinkers are more comfortable with solutions that just "came to" them. Compared with systematic thinkers, for the intuitive thinker, data are less important, complexity is less bothersome, changing external and internal environments are expected rather than assumed away, and being more or less right is more important than being precisely wrong. (Erven, n.d.)
Four Functions of Management Rohan Wickremasinghe, a management consultant, defines management as an evolution brought about over many years with different contributions to define management. Rohan thought that the process of Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling were the most modern and simplest of definitions of management for organizational members and organizational resources to achieve a predetermined goal. He goes on to define the common practice of management in terms of the four words: Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling, which are referred to as the four functions of management. Rohan states, "to achieve our objectives the four functions of management: Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling have to be carried out on an ongoing systematic way for some period of time depending on the type of objective". (Wickremasighe, n.d.)
Planning - Planning implies that we must think through our goals and actions in advance and decide, What to do? and How to do? Planning is based on a logical or systematic way rather than hunch. Planning should produce a picture of our desirable future. We may have long term plans or what we desire to be in another five to ten years in future time. To achieve long
Management: Theory, Practice and Application
August 13, 2005
Abstract
Managers tend to one of two basic problem-solving styles: systematic or intuitive. Systematic thinkers are logical and rational. They prefer narrow and focused problems, step by step processes, rules to be followed, and computer programs that grind to a recommendation. Intuitive thinkers are more comfortable with solutions that just "came to" them. Compared with systematic thinkers, for the intuitive thinker, data are less important, complexity is less bothersome, changing external and internal environments are expected rather than assumed away, and being more or less right is more important than being precisely wrong. (Erven, n.d.)
Four Functions of Management Rohan Wickremasinghe, a management consultant, defines management as an evolution brought about over many years with different contributions to define management. Rohan thought that the process of Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling were the most modern and simplest of definitions of management for organizational members and organizational resources to achieve a predetermined goal. He goes on to define the common practice of management in terms of the four words: Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling, which are referred to as the four functions of management. Rohan states, "to achieve our objectives the four functions of management: Planning, Organizing, Leading and Controlling have to be carried out on an ongoing systematic way for some period of time depending on the type of objective". (Wickremasighe, n.d.)
Planning - Planning implies that we must think through our goals and actions in advance and decide, What to do? and How to do? Planning is based on a logical or systematic way rather than hunch. Planning should produce a picture of our desirable future. We may have long term plans or what we desire to be in another five to ten years in future time. To achieve long