Management functions are general administration duties carried out in virtually all organisations. The four basic management functions are planning, organising, leading and controlling. These functions work hand in hand as managers try to use limited resources in a changing environment in order for them to achieve organisational goals.
Planning
Planning is the major function of management where managers formulate the future course of action. This is where the organisations mission, objectives and strategies of the organisation are formed. Managers plan on how they are going to achieve their goals and they formulate budgets and policies in line with their missions .Planning enables people to see why an organisation exists. Planning is essential
This where managers build the internal structure of the organisation and ensures the efficient use of the human resources. Organising include hiring of people and allocation of budgets. Managers organise on the division of labour and specialisation where jobs are divided and grouped before they are allocated to people who have the right skills and special training for them. Organising means that managers maintain stability and tenure of employees by giving them enough room to get to know their job through programmes like novices, apprenticeship and internship. The managers design the unity of command where each worker will receive instructions from only one superior so that the superior will become responsible for his or her instructions. Organising also involves order in every system of the organisation. Managers will need to set employees and organisational property in their right places and job descriptions must be given according to agreed terms. Organising will also include issues of chain of command where employees will follow the set rules for receiving and giving information at different level. For example only a Public Relations Manager is allowed to speak to the media. Organising will help the organisation to be balanced and stable and it will results in mechanisms that co-ordinates the activities of the organisation in complete harmonised
Leading involves taking plans of the organisation and making them a reality. Managers will tell their staff missions and goals of their organisation and they provide guidance for their staff by ensuring that they receive proper training so that they meet the standards of the organisation. Managers must lead their subordinates by example and they should motivate them to perform to the best of their abilities by giving them a fair remuneration in accordance with their contributions to the organisation. For example employees with the same qualifications, experience and job positions should be rewarded with equal pay without any discrimination. The leaders should treat their employees equally and they should show justice when dealing with employee conflicts so that they gain employee trust. When managers are leading organisations they should give authority to their subordinates to make decisions on their behalf and they should be responsible for those orders Leading also involves creating conducive working environment for employees to perform their duties well through encouraging teamwork and involving employees in decision making processes. Leading is also associated with discipline where employees must show obedience and respect to their superior so that the organisation runs smoothly. Leaders should also subordinate individual interest and promote the interest of the organisation. For