The Four Functions of Management
In business, managers have four important functions: planning, organizing, leading, and
controlling. These functions were first explained by Henri Fayol, an early management thinker.
They are connected to each other and help organizations reach their goals.
Planning is the first function. It means deciding what the organization wants to achieve and
how to do it. In the past, planning was done only by top managers. Today, planning often
includes ideas from many levels in the company. For example, employees may share
information and give suggestions to improve decisions.
Organizing comes after planning. This means arranging resources, tasks, and people so the plan
can be done well. Organizing includes giving roles, creating teams, and making clear
communication. In the past, companies had strict structures, but now many use flexible
teamwork and cooperation.
Leading is about guiding and motivating people to reach goals. Good leaders influence others
in a positive way. In the past, only certain people were seen as leaders. Now, leadership can
come from anyone in the organization, not just top managers.
Controlling is the last function. It means checking results, comparing them to the goals, and
making changes if needed. Today, controlling focuses on improvement, feedback, and learning.
This helps businesses stay on the right track.
Adapted from https://www.apu.apus.edu/area-of-study/business-and-management/resources/the-four-functions-of-
management/#:~:text=Effective%20management%20is%20a%20cornerstone,steer%20an%20organization%20toward%20a
chievement.
