The management process

Editor's Notes

1. The goal of every manager is to be affective in helping their organization reach peak performance. Through the four functions of management this is possible. Those functions are; planning, organizing, leading, and controlling. Each function is equally important and they are not necessarily done in a step by step process. The functions are continuously occurring throughout each task that a manager performs.
2. Planning is the process of deciding which path to take and what you would like to achieve. Once those objectives are set, you must also plan out how you mean to accomplish them.
3. Once you have your plans in place, you must organize your process. Organizing includes assigning tasks and delegating responsibilities to employees. You must make sure that the resources needed to complete the tasks are available. This function is how managers achieve the objectives outlined in the planning process.
4. Once tasks have been delegated and assignments made, it is the managers responsibility to maintain the teams motivation. The function of leading is to make sure that enthusiasm remains high in order to achieve objectives
5. In order to make sure that plans stay on schedule and that productivity remains where it should be, a manager must apply a certain amount of control. Results need to be compared to goals, work performance must be measured, and corrective actions must be taken in order to keep things on track. This is the step where managers must make changes according to circumstances. Sometimes things do not go as expected and a good manager must be able to adapt in order to reach their final goal.
6. All four functions must work hand in hand in order for a manager to help their organization reach their full potential. Each one serves a separate purpose. While each function is important separately, a manager that can perfect the process makes themselves indispensable.