Four Functions of Management

Every manager has a different way of leading his or her own staff. Some concentrate more on leading by example; some are satisfied by delegating their work out and controlling from their individual offices. Regardless, all management can be broken down into four basic functions: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. Without a proper balance between all four of these, a manager cannot be truly successful within his or her position.

The first function is planning. “Planning is the core area of all the functions of management. It is the foundation upon which the other three areas should be built.” (Sane, 2007). “Planning is concerned with the future impact of today's decisions.” (Higgins, 1994, p. 7). Planning is “specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate actions needed to achieve those goals.” (Bateman & Snell, 2009). Since this stage is an ever-changing, ongoing process, it is pertinent to a company’s survival that the manager’s planning skills are both developed and realistic.

English: analysis for strategic planning process

Organize

English: Wikimedia Strategic Planning process

Working in a healthcare facility, planning is essential to all management success. Our organization and line of work is guided and controlled by strict state and federal regulations that change constantly. When changes are made to a state guideline, all health institutions are required to make changes accordingly and within a specific amount of time. Planning for these changes and taking the proper steps in ensuring these processes run smoothly and without flaw takes a great deal of work and patience. It requires weeks of planning, specific strategic planning groups that are put into place and policies regarding the new changes. Without planning, managers can become overwhelmed, thus affecting all other functions of management.

The next function is organizing. “Organization is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve...