MANAGEMENT FUNCTION AND PERFORMANCE APPRAISAL

This book came into existence as result of the fact that the author speaks on such modules as Effective Allocation and Use of Available Resources-Management Functions for his organization. He actually designed the course and developed  content and produced the module using power point presentation. Apart from the fact the he leads discussion on the module , he had in the past taught it  at different seminars, workshops, training programmes and conferences etc as the need arose. He decided to develop it into a book while incorporating such areas as performance appraising as well as potential appraisal etc. Specifically, he discussed 360 degree appraisal. All the management functions were discussed because they are very relevant for the purpose of achieving enhanced performance in an organization. The five management functions are as follows: PLANNING. This management function concerns itself with anticipating the future and determining the best course of action to achieve the organisational goals and objectives. ORGANIZING. Organizing is defined as the management function that blends human and material resources through the design of a formal structure of task and authority.STAFFING. The staffing function concerns itself with recruiting, selecting, training and assigning the right person to the right position within the organization. DIRECTING. Guiding and motivating employees towards organizational objectives. CONTROLLING. The final function of management is controlling whereby the organisational performance is evaluated to determine whether or not it is accomplishing it’s objectives.Leadership and its components were also discussed in details.In most management literature leading is included as one of  the management functions.It is similar to directing. Furthermore, some of the quality management systems like Management by Objective(MBO),Six Sigma, Lean, Lean Six Sigma. Kaisen etc were discussed.

Furthermore, Henry Fayol(1841-1925),author of Classical Administrative Theory of Management, that is often used today, identified the five basic management functions(planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling).He developed the fourteen basic principles of management that underlie all managerial tasks which were discussed here. As a supervisor and/or manager, your job will be to directly administer the functions of management. The crux of this book is effective allocation and use of available resources. In general, example of resources of an organisation are; men, materials, machines, money, energy and information and these are what are being managed. Increasing the resource efficiency thus involves an integrated reduction of materials, energy, supplies and wastes because these factors are usually strongly linked. By using fewer resources and optimizing their use, businesses can become more environmentally friendly, competitive and profitable. A sustainable increase in efficiency is essential to achieve sustainable green growth.