5 Functions of A Manager

In this article i am going to tell you the functions of a manager. Every manger should follow and learn these functions:

1. Planning 

It means selecting the objectives, formulating the policies, programs, and procedures to achieve these objectives. Objectives are grouped into those of individuals, departments, and the enterprise. Planning involves decision making and selecting a definite course of action from among various alternatives. The responsibility of planning goes on the shoulders of managers, whether they are at the top, middle or bottom of the organization structure. It is looking ahead and concerned with the future. Planning is what to do, when to do, how to do, who and why is to do. It provides yardstick against which actual performance is measured.

2. Organizing

The next function of the manager is organizing. It involves the establishment of definite structure of roles. It includes grouping of activities, assignment of these activities to organizational groups, the delegation of authority and co-ordination of the authority delegated. Since one man can not perform all the functions, the activity must be split off into buying, selling, producing, accounting to achieve business enterprise objectives. In organizing a business a full advantage of specialization is enjoyed. The organization must fit the task and not vice versa. The organization structure is not an end in itself but a means to an end.

3. Staffing 

It includes hiring, selecting, placing, transferring, and firing. It is the function of a manager to define man power requirements for the job to be done, determine workman's compensation and train the workers. The objectives of staffing is to create such a team which is loyal to company and its objectives. Wage and salary administration, pension, bonus, gratuity, group insurance, provident fund, employees welfare, transfer, promotion, retirement, leave, medical come under the purview of personal administration. Personnel administration is the new term, used for staffing. Staffing starts even before hiring and continues even after firing.

4. Directing or Leading 

It involves guiding, supervising of sub-ordinates. The superior manager must teach his subordinates the enterprise tradition, history, objectives and policies. Subordinates must learn the organization structure, interdepartmental relationship of activities and responsibilities. The should also know their duties and authorities.
 
Directing improves the performance of the workers. It motivates them to work them to work with zeal and confidence. The supervisor's leading, communicating, motivating, and persuading come under the function of directing. Now better term leading is used for directing.

5. Controlling 

Controlling measures actual performance and corrects the weakness in the performance. It also ensures to accomplish plans. Control compel events to talk plays according to plan. Through controlling workers are made responsible for the errors they make and then they are corrected to improve the performance. controlling means to look back, while planning is to look ahead. There are three basic control processes.

1. Establishing Standards

2. Measuring Performance

3. Correcting Deviations From Standard And Plans.