Four Functions of Management
MGT 330
October 15, 2007
Management is defined as the process of working with people and resources to accomplish
organizational goals (Bateman and Snell, 2007, p.26). Everyone has or will have to deal
with management in one way or another. Some of us are managers, work with managers or
ask to speak to mangers throughout our daily activities. Management does not only involve
managers but how we execute our daily tasks. Planning, organizing, leading and
controlling are the four functions of management. This paper will define the meaning of
these functions and how they relate to my work experience as a project coordinator.
Planning is specifying the goals to be achieved and deciding in advance the appropriate
actions needed to achieve those goals. Planning activities include analyzing current
situations, anticipating the future, determining objectives, deciding in what types of
activities the company will engage, choosing corporate and business strategies, and
determining the resources needed to achieve the organizations goals (Bateman and Snell,
2007, p.27). A project coordinator has to implement precise planning. All factors have to
be considered when setting goals and objectives at the genesis of a project. Some factors
are budgeting, finding resources, relying on outside vendors, time restraints and tracking
progress. Time restraint is the most common factor that is challenging. Most of my clients
have large projects that need to be completed and delivered in a short period of time.
Careful planning, in my position, is a must in order to provide excellent service to my
clients.
Another function of management is organizing. It isthe management of assembling and
