Overview

Management is the process of coordinating people and resources to achieve organizational goals effectively and efficiently. This topic introduces core management functions, classic theories, and the contemporary skills required of today’s managers.

Key Concepts and Terms

• Functions of Management: Planning, Organizing, Leading, Controlling (POLC).
• Efficiency vs. Effectiveness: Doing things right vs. doing the right things.
• Levels of Managers: Top (strategic), Middle (tactical), First‑line (operational).
• Mintzberg’s Managerial Roles: Interpersonal (figurehead, leader), Informational (monitor, spokesperson), Decisional (resource allocator, negotiator).
• Essential Skills: Technical, human, and conceptual (Katz model).
• Classical Theories: Scientific management (Taylor), Administrative principles (Fayol), Bureaucracy (Weber).
• Contemporary Approaches: Systems theory, Contingency perspective, Learning organization.

Step‑by‑Step Example

Scenario: Maria is promoted from software developer to first‑line engineering manager overseeing 8 developers. How should she apply the POLC framework in her first 90 days?

Step 1 – Planning: Meet with upper management to align on quarterly deliverables; set SMART team goals.

Step 2 – Organizing: Assign projects based on skill sets; clarify reporting relationships; request additional QA resources.

Step 3 – Leading: Hold weekly stand‑ups; use situational leadership—coaching new hires, delegating to senior devs.

Step 4 – Controlling: Track sprint velocity; compare to targets; implement code‑review metrics; course‑correct as needed.

Final Answer: Applying POLC provides Maria with a structured roadmap to transition successfully into management.

Quick Tip