Explain any four functions of management.

• Answer –

1. Planning: decide objectives and the course of action in advance; for example, set an annual sales target and the means of reaching it.
2. Organising: identify and group activities, assign duties and establish authority relationships so that the plan can be carried out.
3. Staffing: obtain, develop and retain suitable people through recruitment, selection, placement, training and appraisal.
4. Directing: guide and influence employees through supervision, motivation, leadership and communication.
5. Controlling: establish standards, measure performance, compare results with standards, analyse significant deviations and take corrective action.

These functions are interdependent. Control information can lead to a revised plan, changed work allocation or additional training. Coordination binds all the functions together.