Management / nature, scope and functions of management
Various Functions of Management or Functions of Managers
Managers are known by their functions: The given statement optly recognises the managers by the functions they are required to performed, viz, planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling.
Management is what Management does: The given statement implies that management is identifiable with the various functions required to be performed under mangement, that of planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling.
Management functions refer to the activities which managers perform to determine and achieve the desired objectives.
These functions are explained below:
1. Planning : Planning involves deciding in advance what to do, when to do, where to do, how to do and who the work do will. It implies determination of the objectives to be achieved and selecting the right course of action to achieve the desired objectives. For example, suppose a manufacturer has to raise funds to start production. He must decide how much funds are needed, and choose the right source of funds from various alternative sources such as shares, debentures, loans from banks, etc.
2. Organising: After deciding the objectives and the ways and means of achieving them, the next step is to bring together manpower and material resources required for carrying out the plans. “To organise a business means to provide it with everything useful to its functioning raw materials, tools, capital and personnel.” Organisation structure (the network of authority-responsibility relationships) serves as the framework through which management co-ordinates individual efforts.
3. Staffing: Staffing is the function of manning, and also keeping manned, the positions created in the organisation structure. It is concerned with human resources. Its aim is to find individuals suitable for a job, i.e., the right man for the right job. Staffing has become an important function due to increasing size of business, rapid advancements in technology and growing competition. It is a difficult function because the behaviour of human beings is complicated. Staffing is a pervasive function because every manager is continuously engaged in performing the function of staffing.
4. Directing: A manager may plan and organise, but no tangible results can be achieved until the plan is implemented. This is done by directing, which literally means moving into action. Directing is that part of the management process which actuates the organisation members to work efficiently and effectively for the attainment of the desired objectives.
Directing is concerned with the execution of plans. It initiates organised action and breathes life into the organisation. It constitutes the life spark of the enterprise and sets it into motion like the electric power. Therefore, directing is known as management in action.
5. Controlling: Controlling means the process of ensuring that activities of subordinates and use of resources are in conformity with the predetermined objectives and targets. It involves observing what is being done, how well it is being done, to what extent it is deviating the desired results and taking corrective measures. Control is concerned with measuring and comparing operating results with the plans and taking corrective action when results deviate from plans.
