FOUR MANAGEMENT FUNCITONS

The functions of management are divided into four parts as planning, organizing, leading, and controlling in building its foundation. Organizations essentially need these four functions in order to achieve success in business. As organizations must abide by these guidelines to become successful, the managers must use these principles as well. If management does not properly follow these functions, it can jeopardize the organization goals and its employees. For all four parts are essential keys in a developing an adequate, functional management team.

According to associatedcontent.com, “Planning is the core area of all the functions of management” (Rane, 2007). Planning is the groundwork in which the three other functions thrive off of. However, planning is easy to put off as well. While delaying the planning will prove to be troublesome, planning may display an organizations present status and future possibilities. Furthermore, corrections are executed in order to meet the organizational goals. Planning should consistently evolve in its development. Unfortunately, outside factors can constantly change a company both positively and negatively.

The second part of management functions is organization. Management must organize all its assets in order to accomplish the organization’s objective determined initially in the planning stage. Through the development of achieving organization, management will determine intrinsic objectives, and then also concede any material needs.

Another function of management is the ability to lead. Serving as a soldier in the United States Army, defines leadership as influencing people by providing purpose, direction, and motivation, while operating to accomplish the mission and improve the organization (Headquarters, 2007, p. 1). The U.S. Army carries this definition in regulations. Regulations that were ever violated can be punished by non-judicial or judicial punishment. As in the military and in the civilian sector, developing the leadership in management can direct and manage the actions of the staff in accomplishing the organizations goals, and also supporting them in preserving personal or career goals. Influence can be gained through enthusiasm, talking, and leadership. Employees who are motivated greatly usually excel in job performance, and conveying a very important role in the company achieving its goals. Leaderships input include a great deal of focus into motivating their employees to excel and increase output. Management can come up with rewards based on the job performance and for what the employee needs. Communication is very important in this stage of management, because without the proper communication there would not be a great leader. Controlling is the last stage of the four functions.
“The control process is cyclical which means it is never finished” (Alsalam, 2007). With control, management will have the ability to recognize any possible problems and take control measures. Management is also able to recognize issues that require leadership to intervene with a solution.

Serving in the U.S. Army for ten years and being in supervisor and in management capacity, the four functions of management influenced myself and subordinates as well. The functions of management become effortless, as upper leadership orchestrate the operation guidelines and tasks while supervisors facilitate and ensure the assignments are executed as planned. Supervisors must constitute duty rosters daily, weekly, bi-weekly, and monthly to ensure stable future planning. With the ability to lead and control are considered most important functions for a soldiers in a management position as leaders must guide subordinates and make ensure high levels of alertness and awareness is maintained. Also ensuring that risk managements is current and up to date with contingency planning remains continuous as leaders must take control and warrant mission execution. Without the planning process junior leaders and soldiers unsupervised would lead into cluelessness and poor production. With the organizing process the management updates the training certification and administrative controls are met to the highest of standards. Leading and controlling is conducted with properly ensuring that soldiers are provided with adequate equipment and have sufficient logistical supplies to enforce the mission first mentality that the U.S. Army lives and breathes by.

In closing, the four functions of management are very important serving as a soldier in the world’s most efficient army as well as in the business environment. Without a functional management the organizations, the military, and all businesses would probably be very unsuccessful if not immediate then not soon. For planning, organizing, leading, and controlling are very essential keys in attaining a productive level of management.

Reference List

Alsalam, E. (2007, May 22). . Retrieved September 14, 2008, from

http://engineeringmgt.com/2007/05/characteristics-of-control-process.html.

Headquarters. (2007). Army leadership. Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army.

Rane, S. (2007, September 12). . Retrieved September 14, 2008, from

http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/373994/the_four_functions_of_manage

ment foundation.html?cat=3.