THE FOUR FUNCTIONS OF MANAGEMENT 1

The Four Functions of Management

Grantham University

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Abstract

The 4 basic functions of management, what are they and which one is most important to me. In this paper we will review all four planning, organizing, directing and controlling. And I will explain why I feel planning is the key to management.

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It has been noted that there are four basic functions in business management. Each one is key to the success of any project. This paper will identify and discuss planning, organizing, leading and controlling and the importance of them. It will also identify witch one I feel is most important and why. In today’s competitive world of business one should stay ahead of the game by doing as much planning as they can. Yes it is impossible to for see every single issue that may arise but you can head it off better if you plan for similar circumstances. In the civilian world planning consist of things like inventory, employees shifts and trend changes. In the world that I know most about, the Army, management refers to soldier care, soldier training, ensuring that soldiers at the lowest level receive info and understand the jobs of the next two ranks above them. If every company ensured that their employees knew the job of shift leaders and managers there would be a lot less complaining and more productivity. Understanding why you are asked to do something is only human nature. Organizing is a managers way of not losing control of personnel and site of the goal they set for the team. Good organization comes with good planning. If one sets a goal and does a detailed plan using the backward planning process they can identify the majority of the issues they may see and the keys to succeeding. Organizing also means to give each member of the team jobs based on their strengths and weaknesses. Leading is often forgotten or put to the wayside. This is a mistake of the greatest because
Through leadership, managers provide purpose, direction, and motivation to subordinate personnel (ADP 5-0, The Operations Process, Headquarters Dept. of the Army, 2012). If you as a manager are not at the forefront of your mission or goal then how will your personnel know you care about success? The manager who is always leading his/her team into the future of any
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endeavor will succeed were others will not. Do as I do not as I say will always keep you ahead of the game. Controlling is often misunderstood in the business world. Controlling does not mean micro managing. Controlling in the