Four Functions of Management MGT330

Essay by pixelprofessorUniversity, Bachelor'sA, December 2008

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IntroductionManagement is accomplished through four intrinsic functions which are: planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. According to Bateman-Snell, planning is the management function of systematically making decisions about the goals and activities that an individual, a group, a work unit, or the overall organization will pursue in the future. Organizing is the management function of assembling and coordinating human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals. Leading is the management function that involves the manager's efforts to stimulate high performance by employees. Controlling is the management function of monitoring progress and making needed changes.

A manager must organize these functions in order to reach company goals and maintain a competitive advantage. Putting these plans into action requires forming groups as underlings must be directed to complete the plan, and the plan's development must be directed by control. In order for these practices to succeed in an operational manner, an understanding must be reached concerning the basics in which these practices are in relationship to the business structure.

(Bateman, Snell, 2007).

The Four Management Functions:PlanningPlanning is the first tool of the four functions in the management process. The difference between a successful and unsuccessful manager lies within the planning procedure. Planning is the logical thinking through goals and making the decision as to what needs to be accomplished in order to reach the organizations' objectives. Managers use this process to plan for the future, like a blueprint to foresee problems, decide on the actions to evade difficult issues and to beat the competition. (Bateman, Snell, 2007). Planning is the first step in management and is essential as it facilitates control, valuable in decision making and in the avoidance of business ruin.

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