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MANAGEMENT PROCESS
Compiled by Dr. Mahendrenath Motah

Modern management process theory (Henri Fayol 1841-1925) which considers

management as a process can enable us to study the activities of management and have
an insight into the functions of management and the role and position of the manager.

According to this approach, management can be viewed as a process as described below.

POLICY MAKING
GOAL SETTING
PLANNING

ORGANIZATIONAL
DESIGN &
STRUCTURE

DIRECTING
MOTIVATING
OPERATIONAL
PLANNING
&
CONTROL
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Thus, the management process involves:

 Planning
 Organizing
 Directing
 Controlling

THE PROCESS

The major aspects and activities within the process are concerned with the creation
of a setting in which operational activity can take place. This core task is known as
CONSTITUTING.

This task involves - Determining goals

- Policy formulation
- Drafting plans and procedures
- Creating conditions

In short, this task has to do with

- Forecasting
- Planning
- Organizing

The other task involves stimulating actions, setting directions, checking, redirecting
actions and motivating the staff. This is called DIRECTING.

Both these tasks are subjected to readjustment, which constitutes yet another step in
the management process.

The higher the manager is in an organization, the more time and attention will be
allocated to constituting tasks. These tasks can be described as policy intensive. At
the lower levels, more and more attention is given to the directing task. Directing
becomes increasingly operationally intensive. At all levels constituting is only half of
the job. FIRST THINK AND PREPARE, THEN EXECUTE, ACT AND DO.
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If the right thinking has taken place in advance, then it should only be necessary to
give specific orders and in principle, few problems will occur when the tasks are
carried out. Operational implementation then seems possible in terms of time
estimates, budgets and so on.

MANAGERS and OBJECTIVES

Central to the action of managers are the objectives and goals of the organization.
The objectives and goals of organizations should be

- Acceptable

- Attainable

- Clear

As a manager, one has to bring together three important elements.

- People

- Resources

- Actions

In its narrow sense, management should bring managers to manage, support and
coach staff in the execution of their tasks. This is followed by

- giving orders

- providing support

- motivating employees

- and ensuring that the tasks are executed properly (evaluating).

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QUALITIES OF A GOOD MANAGER

Area of knowledge which managers need

1. Planning, organizing, directing

2. People and organizational behavior

3. Technology

4. The organization

The manager should also be

- sincere

- creative

- knowledgeable

- intelligent

- self confident

- innovative

- assertive

- tactful

Can you find other qualities a manager should process?

August 2008