Functions of Management by Henri Fayol

Elements of Management by Henri Fayol

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Writer’s regarded the elements of management as the functions of management. He said that management should be viewed as a process consisting of five elements. You will Know about “14 Principles of Management by Henri Fayol” & also read “Nature and Characteristics of Management”.

Fayol’s five Elements They are;

• Planning.
• Organising.
• Commanding.
• Coordination.
• Controlling.

He has regarded planning as the most important managerial function. Creation of organization structure and commanding function is necessary to execute plans. Coordination is necessary to make sure that everyone is working together, and control looks whether everything is proceeding according to the plan.

These are Fayol’s five functions of management;

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Planning:

Planning is looking ahead. According to Henri Fayol, drawing up a good plan of action is the hardest of the five functions of management. This requires an active participation of the entire organization. With respect to time and implementation, planning must be linked to and coordinated on different levels. Planning must take the organization’s available resources and flexibility of personnel into consideration as this will guarantee continuity.

Organizing:

An organization can only function well if it is well-organized. This means that there must be sufficient capital, staff, and raw materials so that the organization can run smoothly and that it can build a good working structure. The organizational structure with a good division of functions and tasks is of crucial importance. When the number of functions increases, the organization will expand both horizontally and vertically. This requires a different type of leadership. Organizing is an important function of the five functions of management.

Commanding:

When given orders and clear working instructions, employees will know exactly what is required of them. Return from all employees will be optimized if they are given concrete instructions with respect to the activities that must be carried out by them. Successful managers have integrity, communicate clearly and base their decisions on regular audits. They are capable of motivating a team and encouraging employees to take initiative.

Coordination:

When all activities are harmonized, the organization will function better. Positive influencing of employees behavior is important in this. Coordination, therefore, aims at stimulating motivation and discipline within the group dynamics. This requires clear communication and good leadership. Only through positive employee behavior management can the intended objectives be achieved.

Controlling:

By verifying whether everything is going according to plan, the organization knows exactly whether the activities are carried out in conformity with the plan.

Control takes place in a four-step process:

• Establish performance standards based on organizational objectives.
• Measure and report on actual performance.
• Compare results with performance and standards.
• Take corrective or preventive measures as needed.

Each of these steps is about solving problems in a creative manner. Finding a creative solution is often more difficult than discovering what the problem is than making choices or the decision-making process. It starts with creating an environmental analysis of the organization and it ends with evaluating the results of the implemented solution.