Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a

not-for-profit organization, or government body. Management includes the activities of setting

the strategy of an organization and coordinating the efforts of its employees (or of volunteers) to
accomplish its objectives through the application of available resources, such
as financial, natural, technological, and human resources.[1] The term "management" may also
refer to those people who manage an organization.

The Simple English Wiktionary has a definition for:

management. Managementmeans directing and controlling a group of one or
more people or an organization to reach a goal.

Management
in business and organizations is the function that coordinates the efforts of
people toaccomplish goals and objectives using available resources
efficiently
and effectively. Managementcomprises planning, organizing, staffing, leadi
ng or directing, and controlling an organization toaccomplish the
goal. Resourcing encompasses the deployment and manipulation
of humanresources, financial resources, technological resources,
and natural resources. Management is alsoan academic
discipline, a social science whose objective is to study social organization

According to Fayol, management operates through five basic functions: planning,

organizing, coordinating, commanding, and controlling.

 Planning: Deciding what needs to happen in the future and generating plans for
action (deciding in advance).[1]
 Organizing (or staffing): Making sure the human and nonhuman resources are put
into place.[26]
 Coordinating: Creating a structure through which an organization's goals can be
accomplished.
 Commanding (or leading): Determining what must be done in a situation and
getting people to do it.
 Controlling: Checking progress against plans.

Planning
Planning is a basic and the primary function of management which includes formulation of one
or more detailed plans to achieve optimum balance of needs or demands with the available
resources. It is a dynamic process and very essential for every organisation to achieve their
ultimate goals.
Planning is the starting point of the whole management process and occupies the first position
in the management process. It involves defining a goal and determining the most effective
course of action needed to reach that goal.
Planning is looking ahead. Drawing up a good plan of action is the hardest of the five functions
of the management. This requires an active participation of the entire organization. With respect
to time and implementation, planning is to be linked to and coordinated on different levels.
Planning is to take the organization’s available resources and flexibility of personnel into
consideration to guarantee continuity and to get effective co-ordination, contribution and perfect
adjustment.
Through this function, management looks ahead and chalks out future course of action to be
followed. It is a preparatory step. It is a systematic activity which determines when, how and
who is going to perform a specific job. By Planning usually a detailed programme is made
regarding future courses of action.
Planning is a way to do the things in orderly way, to think before acting and to act in the light of
facts rather than guesses. It is deciding of the best alternative among others to perform different
managerial functions in order to achieve predetermined goals. It makes possible things to occur
which would not otherwise occur.
The planning function of the management controls all the planning that allows the organization
to run smoothly. It also involves knowledge of the organizational resources and the future
objectives of the organization.
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. Organizing function is an important function of the
five functions of the management.
Organizing is the function of management which follows planning. It is a function by which the
management is able to define the role positions, the jobs related and the co-ordination between
authority and responsibility. It is a function in which the synchronization and combination of
human, physical and financial resources takes place. All the three resources are important to
get results. Organizing function helps in achievement of results which in fact is important for the
organization.
The organizing function leads the management towards the systematic and proper organization
of its activities. Organization is the process of identifying and grouping of the works to be
performed, defining and delegating responsibility and authority and establishing relationships for
the purpose of enabling people to work most efficiently.
Organizing function is effective only if the management follows the guiding principles in order to
make important decisions and act upon them.
The organizing function of leadership controls the overall structure of the organization. The
organizational structure is the foundation in the organization. Without it the day-to-day activities
of the organization becomes difficult and unsuccessful. Organizing involves designating tasks
and responsibilities to employees with the specific skill sets needed to complete the tasks.
Organizing also involves developing the organizational structure and chain of command within
the organization.
Directing
Directing function is a key management function which actuates the organizational methods to
work efficiently for achievement of organizational objectives. It is considered life-spark of the
organization which sets in motion the action of the employees because planning and organizing
are the mere preparations for doing the work.
Directing includes all those activities which are designed to encourage the employees to work
effectively and efficiently. It consists of process or technique by which instructions are issued
and operations are carried out as originally planned. It is that inert-personnel aspect of
management function which deals directly with influencing, guiding, instructing, supervising, and
motivating employees for the achievement of organizational goals.
Directing is said to be the heart of management process. Planning, and organizing have got no
importance if directing function is not there in the organization.
Directing function has four important elements namely (i) supervision, (ii) motivation, (iii)
leadership, and (iv) communication. Through this function, the management instructs, guides
and oversees the performance of the employees to achieve the predetermined goals.
Through the directing function, management initiates action and it is from here that the actual
work starts. Directing includes human factors in it. In simple words, it can be described as
providing guidance to the employees in doing their work.
Directing function helps the organization since through this function management gives orders
and clear working instructions to the employees so that they know exactly what is expected from
them. Return from all employees are optimized if they are given concrete instructions with
respect to the activities that must be carried out by them.
Directing function helps management to communicate clearly with the employees and helps in
motivating and encouraging them perform.
Directing is always a complicated function since it involves dealing with employees of different
kind. Management needs basic skills and practices for achieving success in the function of
directing. Proper implementation of this function ensures the employees work effectively and
efficiently and in turn helps the organization to achieve its goals.
Coordinating
Coordinating function of the management ensures unification, integration, synchronization of the
efforts of the organizational employees so as to provide unity of action in the pursuit of common
goals. It is a hidden force which binds all the other functions of management. It is an orderly
arrangement of employee’s efforts to provide unity of action. It is the integration of several parts
into an orderly whole to achieve the purpose of understanding.
Management through coordinating function achieves harmony, rhythm and unity in the
individual’s efforts for the achievement of organizational goals and this is a key to the
organizational success. Coordinating function is the essence of the management and is implicit
and inherent in all other functions of the management.
When all activities are harmonized, the organization will function better. Positive influencing of
employees’ behaviour is important in this. Coordinating function therefore aims at stimulating
motivation and discipline within the group dynamics. This requires clear communication and
good leadership. Only through positive employee behaviour management, the intended
objectives can be achieved.
The coordinating function of management controls all the organizing, planning and directing
activities of the organization and ensures that all the activities function together for the good of
the organization. Coordinating typically takes place in meetings and other sessions with the
department heads to ensure all departments are on the same wave length in terms of objectives
and goals. The function of coordinating involves communication, supervision and direction by
management.
The function of coordinating always applies to group efforts. There is no need for coordination
when only single individual is working. The need for orderliness, integration arises only when
more individuals are working as different individuals come from different backgrounds, have
different styles of working so there is need to unify their efforts towards the common direction.
The function of coordinating always emphasises on unifying the efforts of different individuals
because conflicting efforts may cause damage to the organization. The main aim of the
management is to coordinate the activities and functions of all individuals to common goal.
Coordinating is a non-ending function. It is a continuous function although its degree may vary.
The management work continuously to achieve coordination because without coordination the
organization cannot function efficiently.
Coordinating is a universal function; it is required at all the levels, in all the departments and to
perform all the functions due to interdependence of various activities on each other.
Coordinating function is a function of the management which is to be practiced by employees
working at different levels. It is needed for the coordination of the activities of the organization.
Through the function of coordinating, the activities of organization avoid confusion and chaos. It
brings unity and integrity to the actions of individuals in the organization and that is why it is
usually the most deliberately performed function of the management.
Controlling
Controlling function of the management consists of seeing that everything is being carried out in
accordance with the plan which has been adopted, the orders which have been given, and the
principles which have been laid down. Its object is to point out mistakes in order that they may
be rectified and prevented from recurring. Through this function management checks current
performance against pre-determined standards contained in the plans, with a view to ensure
adequate progress and satisfactory performance. Management also ensures by controlling that
the organizational objectives and the plans devised to attain them are accomplished.
Controlling function is a systematic exercise that helps the management to adjust operations as
needed in order to achieve the plan, or to maintain variations in the organizational objectives
within allowable limits. It ensures that there is effective and efficient utilization of organizational
resources so as to achieve the planned goals. Controlling function measures the deviation of
actual performance from the standard performance, discovers the causes of such deviations
and helps in taking corrective actions
Controlling function takes place in a four-step process namely (i) establishment of the
performance standards based on organizational objectives, (ii) measurement and reporting of
the actual performance, (iii) comparison of the results with performance and standards, and (iv)
taking of the corrective or preventive measures as needed. Each of these steps is about solving
problems in a creative manner.
Controlling, is one of the important managerial functions since it helps to check the errors and to
take the corrective actions so that deviations from standards are minimized and stated goals of
the organization are achieved in a desired manner.