Assignment: Functions of Management Paper
Angela D. Nicol
University of Phoenix
MGT 330 Management Theory Practice and Application
Professor Mary Jane Tytran, MBA
Due Date February 18, 2008
Prepare a 1,000-1,250-word paper in which you define the four functions of management (planning, organizing, leading, and controlling) and explain how each function relates to your own organization. Be sure to: (1) include a definition of each function of management; (2) cite at least two references in your paper; (3) properly cite your references. If you used an electronic source, include the URL.
The four functions of management are: planning, organizing, leading and controlling. Management is defined by many different authors as the process in which individuals motivate others to achieve a common goal. To be an effective manager you must not fail at any of the four functions or your team will not meet its common goals.
When defining the four functions of management James Higgins suggested in his article entitled “the five functions of management” that there are five areas which are planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling. James Higgins suggests that by using these five functions of management you can have “success is gained through accomplishment of mission and objectives” (Higgins 1994, par11). Higgins also suggests that is a manager fails at doing any of the functions that they fail to reach their goals because they lacked both efficiency and effectiveness. While management is the process of people working together to achieve their common goals, they depend upon the four functions to get these goals met.
My organization is a youth center that deals with children ranging from ages five to sixteen years old. W ...