Functions Of Management

Functions of Management

In this paper I will discuss the four functions of management, planning, organizing, leading and controlling. I will define and detail how these functions are used in my career. Although this does not fully define how management works, it certainly is a good platform to start.

Planning

Planning, or delivering strategic value, means to specify goals to achieve, and deciding in advance appropriate actions needed to achieve the goals. This is a vital part of any management environment. Someone once told me that if you fail to plan, you plan to fail. Without proper planning and goal setting, there is no set standard to attain. This is a very important starting point to any management function.

In working in information technology with the government, I find that there is a constant need to plan for future events. One reason is funding, and another is upgrading the mass quantity of equipment at the same time. Since we really don not sell anything, there is no reason to look to other markets or come up with any selling strategy. Most of the planning in information technology is about where the money is going to go.

Organizing

Organizing is assembling and coordinating the human, financial, physical, informational, and other resources needed to achieve goals. Once goals are set, things must be organized properly to make sure all goals are met. Resources must be allocated, job responsibilities must be specified and conditions must be created for maximum success.

I find that the government sometimes has a difficult time with organization. There have been times that responsibilities have been changed on a daily basis. I suppose that when you are dealing with people worldwide, in so many levels of management, normal organizational details might get lost in the shuffle. This does not mean that it does not get done, just at a level where details may be done at a lower level.

Leading

Leading is stimulating people to be high performers. Leading comes from motivating people and properly directing and communicating with employees. Leading is taking initiative and taking people in the right direction,

Since my job forces me to work alone, I find myself leading at a different level. I communicate with my co-workers