Functions of Management (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Business): Revision Note

The main functions of management

• The responsibilities of managers are similar, no matter the organisation in which they work

  • In schools

    • Headteachers organise the school's overall curriculum and staffing

    • Heads of department manage teaching staff and subject course planning

    • Pastoral managers focus on pupil behaviour and reward systems

    • Site managers oversee the safety and maintenance of buildings and equipment

Manager roles

1. Planning

• Setting targets or aims for the organisation or department to achieve which provide a clear sense of purpose and direction

• Managers also plan and budget for resources required to achieve targets

  • The number of people required

  • Finance and capital resources needed

2. Organising

• Once targets have been set, managers should then organise resources including

  • Allocate tasks and delegate responsibility to employees 

  • Make changes to ways of working to improve efficiency

3. Commanding

• Managers need to guide, lead and supervise employees in the tasks they do

  • Make sure staff meet deadlines and achieve individual or team targets

  • Provide feedback and direct staff to tasks 

4. Controlling

• Evaluate the performance of employees and teams

• Investigate reasons for missed targets and implement changes

• Manage budgets and report to senior leaders

• Ensure effective coordination between departments to achieve the organisation’s aims

5. Coordinating

• Encourage groups of workers to communicate with each other and work towards the same goal

• Ensure all of the required resources are available to ensure objectives are met

Delegation

• Delegation is where responsibility for specific tasks is given to subordinates by managers 

  • Delegation usually involves transferring authority from manager to subordinate

  • For example, the Human Resources Director of a large company delegates authority for recruitment and training to the HR Manager

The advantages of delegation

• Some managers are reluctant to delegate, as they lose some control over decision-making

  • Managers may need support to be able to balance trust and control to delegate appropriate tasks

  • Autocratic leaders may not be willing to give authority to others

  • Some managers may feel threatened by highly skilled subordinates seeking promotion