📋 Management Functions
Big Idea: Management involves four core functions: Planning, Organising, Leading/Directing and Controlling (sometimes called POLC). These functions apply to managers at every level.
The four functions
- Planning — setting objectives, developing strategies and creating action plans. Deciding WHAT to do and HOW to do it
- Organising — arranging resources (people, money, materials) to implement the plan. Deciding WHO does WHAT
- Leading/Directing — motivating, guiding and communicating with employees to achieve objectives. Getting people to DO what is needed
- Controlling — monitoring performance against targets and taking corrective action when things go off track. Checking whether RESULTS match PLANS
Pierre at DA performs all four functions: he plans the board meeting to decide DA's future direction, organises by assigning each director a proposal to develop, leads by listening to views and guiding discussion, and controls by reviewing financial performance and holding directors accountable for results.
If asked 'outline the functions of management,' POLC is a reliable framework: Plan, Organise, Lead, Control. Each gets one mark in a typical 4-mark question.