1. Planning:
• Definition: Planning involves setting organizational goals, identifying resources, and determining the best course of action to achieve those goals.
• Scope: Managers at different levels engage in planning. Top-level managers focus on long-term strategic planning, while middle-level managers concentrate on tactical planning, and front-line managers deal with operational planning.
2. Organizing:
• Definition: Organizing involves arranging resources, tasks, and people to achieve organizational goals. It includes designing the organizational structure and defining the relationships among individuals and departments.
• Scope: Organizing involves decisions related to the allocation of resources, delegation of authority, and creation of a hierarchy. Different levels of management are responsible for organizing at various scales.
3. Leading or Directing:
• Definition: Leading is the process of influencing, motivating, and guiding individuals or teams to achieve organizational objectives. It includes communication, motivation, and decision-making.
• Scope: Leading is a responsibility at all levels of management. Top-level managers provide strategic leadership, middle-level managers focus on departmental leadership, and front-line managers engage in daily guidance and motivation of employees.
4. Controlling:
• Definition: Controlling involves monitoring and evaluating organizational performance against set goals. It includes taking corrective actions when necessary to ensure that objectives are met.
• Scope: Controlling spans all levels of management. Top-level managers monitor overall organizational performance, middle-level managers focus on departmental performance, and front-line managers monitor individual and team performance.
5. Coordinating:
• Definition: Coordinating involves harmonizing and integrating various activities and efforts within the organization to ensure efficiency and effectiveness.
• Scope: Coordinating is an integral part of management at all levels. It involves aligning the efforts of different departments and teams to work towards common goals.
Understanding the scope of management helps managers to:
• Clearly define their roles and responsibilities.
• Avoid conflicts and overlapping duties.
• Ensure efficient use of resources.
• Foster collaboration and coordination among different departments.
• Make effective decisions based on their level of authority.
