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Fayol's Management Functions and Its

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Fayol’s Management Functions and its
Relevance Today
According to Henri Fayol, ‘planning, organising, co-ordinating, commanding and controlling’ (Fell 2000, p. 345), are the core functions behind successful management. At present, these functions have been condensed to four: plan, lead, organise and control. There is great debate as to the relevance of these functions in modern management theory. Fells (2000, p. 345) maintains that these functions have ‘stood the test of time’; and are ‘appropriate to contemporary management’. While others such as Henry Mintzberg have said ‘Fayol’s fifty year description of managerial work is no longer of use to us’(Stephen J. Carroll and Dennis J. Gillen, 1987). ‘Management is the planning, …show more content…

In identifying and addressing issues quickly the organisation can maintain its productivity whilst also maintaining an optimum work environment. The planning and controlling management functions are closely related, as the planning functions establishes goals, while the controlling function ensure that the goal is being worked towards by all parties involved.
Fayol is seen by some as the ‘founding father of management functions’ (Raymond E. Miles, Charles C. Snow, Alan D. Meyer and Henry J. Coleman, Jr., 1978, p. 556). While some of his principle and functions are no longer appropriate, his core functions have been adapted to modern organisational management issues. Plan, lead, organise and control, may have ‘stood the test of time’ (fell, 2000, p. 345) due to their simplicity and malleability to change with demand for modern management thinking. These four principles may be seen as outdated, but his methods still work. If there is ‘good communication, understanding, unity, continuity, flexibility and precision’ (Fayol, 1945, p 137) the goals of an organisation can be met. While looking at the management functions shaped by Fayol it is apparent that his management functions have been instrumental in the development of new managerial approaches and are still relevant today.
Bibliography-
Fayol, H, 1949, General and Industrial Management, Sir Isaac Pitman & Sons Ltd, London.
Fells, M.J.,

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