Management Principles and Practices

Management, in its general usage, refers to a group of individuals whose role is to guide and direct the efforts and activities of others toward common objectives.

It is a process aimed at achieving desired results through the collaboration and coordination of people.

Key Features of Management:

1. Management as a Process: Management is an ongoing process or activity that continues until the objectives set by the organization are accomplished. It involves planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling to effectively coordinate human and material resources toward achieving stated goals.
2. Universal Activity: Management is not limited to business enterprises alone; it applies to various fields such as politics, social organizations, religion, and education. Wherever group efforts are required, management becomes necessary.
3. Blend of Science and Art: Management incorporates both scientific principles and artistic skills. It is considered an art. After all, it requires practical application and decision-making, and a science because it follows established principles to achieve predetermined objectives.
4. Professionalization of Management: Management is gradually evolving into a profession as it embraces established principles and practices. It involves specialized training and is guided by ethical codes that arise from its social responsibilities.
5. Group Activity: Management comes into play when there is a collective effort towards a common objective. It is concerned with coordinating and directing group efforts rather than individual efforts. Planning, organizing, coordinating, directing, and controlling are implemented to achieve organizational goals.

Functions of Management:

1. Planning: The process of determining objectives and deciding on future courses of action necessary for their accomplishment.
2. Organizing: Arranging resources such as people, materials, technology, and finances to achieve organizational objectives. It involves dividing work, allocating authority and responsibility, and coordinating tasks.
3. Staffing: The function of recruiting, selecting, training, developing, motivating, and compensating employees to fulfill the organizational requirements.
4. Directing: Guiding and supervising the activities of subordinates to achieve organizational goals. It involves motivating employees, effectively communicating strategies, and ensuring their implementation.
5. Controlling: Monitoring, measuring, and comparing actual performance with planned performance. If discrepancies are found, corrective actions are taken to ensure goals are met.

Responsibilities of a Manager:

• Managing staff and evaluating department activities to accomplish department objectives.
• Recruiting, selecting, orienting, and training employees to maintain a capable workforce.
• Ensuring a safe, secure, and legal work environment.
• Developing personal growth opportunities for employees.
• Communicating job expectations, monitoring performance, and providing feedback.
• Coaching, counseling, and disciplining employees.
• Establishing and enforcing systems, policies, procedures, and productivity standards.
• Setting strategic goals based on relevant business information and evaluating outcomes to make informed decisions.

REASONS FOR PRINCIPLES OF MANAGEMENT

1. To increase efficiency:  it enables a manager to take more realistic view of organizational problems and their solutions. It avoids the need for trial-and-error methods and improves the quality of managerial
2. To crystallize the nature of management job:  it helps in analyzing the management job and in defining the exact scope of management process. It provides a framework for training and education in
3. To improve research in management: it serves as a focal point for useful research in group dynamics, both to ascertain their validity and to improve their applicability.
4. To attain social goals:  it enables more efficient utilization of human and material resources. In this way, management provides social satisfaction and improves the quality of life.