Fayols Management Functions and Its free essay sample

Managers motivate employees, influence individuals or teams as they work, select the most effective communication channel or deal in any way with employee behaviour issues, they are leading. In controlling, managers evaluate how well an organisation is achieving its goals and take action to maintain or improve performance, (Waddell, Devin, Jones, George, 2008, p. 9). Controlling when handled well ensures that the overall direction of individuals and groups are consistent with the short and long term goals of the organisation. It also helps to maintain compliance with essential organisation rules and policies. Fayol (Fayol, 1949, p. 107) stated that controlling purpose was to identify weaknesses and problems such that they can be rectified and reoccurrences prevented. In identifying and addressing issues quickly the organisation can maintain its productivity whilst also maintaining an optimum work environment. The planning and controlling management functions are closely related, as the planning functions establishes goals, while the controlling function nsure that the goal is being worked towards by all parties involved. We will write a custom essay sample on Fayols Management Functions and Its or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Fayol is seen by some as the founding father of management functions (Raymond E. Miles, Charles C. Snow, Alan D. Meyer and Henry J. Coleman, Jr. , 1978, p. 556). While some of his principle and functions are no longer appropriate, his core functions have been adapted to modern organisational management issues. Plan, lead, organise and control, may have stood the test of time (fell, 2000, p. 345) due to their simplicity and malleability to change with demand for modern management thinking. These four principles may be seen as outdated, but his methods still work. If there is good communication, understanding, unity, continuity, flexibility and precision (Fayol, 1945, p 137 Fayols Management Functions and Its free essay sample Fayol’s Management Functions and its Relevance Today According to Henri Fayol, ‘planning, organising, co-ordinating, commanding and controlling’ (Fell 2000, p. 345), are the core functions behind successful management. At present, these functions have been condensed to four: plan, lead, organise and control. There is great debate as to the relevance of these functions in modern management theory. Fells (2000, p. 345) maintains that these functions have ‘stood the test of time’; and are ‘appropriate to contemporary management’. While others such as Henry Mintzberg have said ‘Fayol’s fifty year description of managerial work is no longer of use to us’(Stephen J. Carroll and Dennis J. Gillen, 1987). ‘Management is the planning, organising, leading and controlling of human and other resources to achieve organisational goals effectively and efficiently’ (Waddell, Devin, Jones, George, 2008, p. 519). This definition is from a contemporary text book, which shows the use of Fayol’s functions in modern management teachings. While looking at the management functions shaped by Fayol, some of his functions are no longer seen as useful in modern day management. We will write a custom essay sample on Fayols Management Functions and Its or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Planning is a key process for any organisation, as it allows management to determine suitable goals and the most appropriate course of action in achieving these goals. Planning (Fayol, 1949, p. 43): ‘means both to assess the future and make provisions for it’. Without any form of a plan, an organisation lacks direction and unity, which will hinder the future success of the organisation. Fell (2000, p. 346) highlights ‘Fayol discusses the feature of a good action plan and highlights: unity, continuity, flexibility and precision’. The need for management to have a plan is crucial when dealing with employees and developing strategies to integrate and co-ordinate activities. Organising in an integral part of any organisation, as it structures working relationships in a way that allows employees to work collectively to achieve the organisations goals. (Waddell, Devin, Jones, George, 2008, p. 2) When managers organise, they determine what tasks are to be done, who is to do them, how the tasks are to be grouped, who reports to whom, and where decisions are to be made. Organising is as much about lines of responsibility and authority as it is about communication flow and the use of resources. Fayol identifies many key objectives of organising which are crucial in the maintaining a productive environment, these include ‘maximising personal development, cle ar delineation of duties, aligning objective with resources and co-ordinating activities’(Fayol, 1949, p. 3). These four key objectives in particular are vital for the harmonisation and productivity of an organisation. The leading function of the managerial role, ‘expresses a clear vision as well as energises and enables organisational members to understand the role they play in achieving organisational goals’ (Waddell, Devin, Jones, George, 2008, p. 52). While leading isn’t a function from Fayol’s management functions, it has adopted some of his philosophies in particular Fell (2000, p 358) ‘aim at making unity, energy, initiative and loyalty prevail among the personal’. This can be seen in the way of employee incentive schemes such as bonuses and career advancements put in place to reward staff when organisational goals are met. When managers motivate employees, influence individuals or teams as they work, select the most effective communication channel or deal in any way with employee behaviour issues, they are leading. In controlling, ‘managers evaluate how well an organisation is achieving its goals and take action to maintain or improve performance’, (Waddell, Devin, Jones, George, 2008, p. 9). Controlling when handled well ensures that the overall direction of individuals and groups are consistent with the short and long term goals of the organisation. It also helps to maintain compliance with essential organisation rules and policies. Fayol (Fayol, 1949, p. 107) stated that controlling purpose was to ‘identify weaknesses and problems such that they can be rectified and reoccurrences prevented’. In identifying and addressing issues quickly the organisation can maintain its productivity whilst also maintaining an optimum work environment. The planning and controlling management functions are closely related, as the planning functions establishes goals, while the controlling function ensure that the goal is being worked towards by all parties involved. Fayol is seen by some as the ‘founding father of management functions’ (Raymond E. Miles, Charles C. Snow, Alan D. Meyer and Henry J. Coleman, Jr. , 1978, p. 556). While some of his principle and functions are no longer appropriate, his core functions have been adapted to modern organisational management issues. Plan, lead, organise and control, may have ‘stood the test of time’ (fell, 2000, p. 45) due to their simplicity and malleability to change with demand for modern management thinking.