Management as an Activity
A management function is crucial for every organization, regardless of whether it is a small business, a multinational corporation, a non-profit organization, or a government entity. In order to accomplish desired objectives effectively and efficiently, resources must be planned, organized, led, and controlled.
We will explore each component in detail in this detailed explanation of management as an activity, examining the various aspects as an activity below:
A) Planning:
The foundation of effective management lies in planning. Planning involves the identification of organizational objectives and the implementation of the best strategies to realize them. Some of its key elements are described below:
Setting Goals: The first step in planning is to formulate clear and specific goals. Your goals should be aligned with your organization’s mission and vision. These goals will guide your decision-making and resource allocation.
Creating Strategies: Once goals have been defined, managers need to identify the best strategies for achieving them. Strategies are the broad approaches or plans of action to accomplish goals. In addition to choosing the right target markets, competitors, product development, resource allocation, and other important factors, they also make decisions about other critical factors.
Creating policies: A policy is a set of guidelines or rules that provide a framework for implementing decisions and actions in an organization. Policy development is based on organizational values, industry regulations, and best practices, and helps ensure consistency, fairness, and compliance with legal and ethical standards.
Creating Budgets: Planning also involves establishing budgets that allocate funds for various activities and projects. Management can monitor and control expenditures, track performance, and make informed decisions regarding resource allocation with the help of budgets, which serve as a financial roadmap.
Identifying Resources: As part of the planning process, managers need to identify the resources they will need to implement the plan successfully, such as human capital, physical assets, technology, information, and financial resources.
As a continuous process, planning involves regular review and adjustments to adapt to changing circumstances and new information. Planning provides a framework for decision-making and serves as an organizational roadmap.
B) Organizing:
Management’s next activity is organizing. This involves arranging and structuring resources and activities to facilitate the accomplishment of organizational objectives. It consists of the following elements:
Organizational Structure: Managers need to determine the relationships, roles, and responsibilities within the organization through an organizational structure. An organization’s structure can be hierarchical, matrix-based, flat, or a combination of these, depending on its goals and the nature of the organization. Communication, decision-making, and information flow within the organization are influenced by the organizational structure.
Defining roles and responsibilities: Managers need to clearly define roles and responsibilities for individual members as well as teams in the organization. When roles are defined clearly, confusion is minimized, accountability is enhanced, and coordination becomes more effective.
Establishing reporting relationships: Management must establish clear communication lines and reporting lines within the organization in order to ensure effective coordination and decision making. Depending on the reporting relationship, it can be hierarchical, in which managers report to higher-level managers, or it can be lateral, or matrix-based, involving cross-functional teams and dotted-line reporting.
Allocating Resources: A manager’s responsibility is to allocate resources efficiently and effectively. This includes human resources, such as assigning employees specific tasks or projects based on their skill level and experience. Additionally, it involves allocating financial resources, including budget allocations for various activities, as well as physical resources, such as equipment and facilities.
Creating systems and processes: Organizing involves the development of systems and processes to ensure the smooth operation of an organization. A well-designed system or process increases efficiency, reduces errors, and promotes collaboration. It includes communication systems, information management systems, performance evaluation systems, and operational processes.
In an organization, organizing creates a structure that enables individuals and teams to work together toward shared objectives. It is an important component of cultivating clarity, accountability, and coordination.