What is Management?

Introduction 

The word 'manage' is derived from an Italian word 'maneggiare' which means the process of dealing with or controlling things or people. Human Civilisation has formed thousands of years ago. However, civilising in true sense means good management. Management plays an important role in whatever work we perform. Traditionally, the concept of management was limited to complete the activity. However, as it is said that 'Modern problems need modern solutions' the scope of management is widened to a greater extend. Many scholars have given definitions and theories of management. One of the most famous definition was given by Henry Fayol which is "To manage is to forecast and plan, to organise, to command, to coordinate, and to control". He also gave 14 principles of management. For understanding the principles check the following article. 

Principles of Management

Characteristics of Management

1. Management is Goal Oriented - Management is a purposeful activity which is done to achieve a specific goal. When an organisation achieves the goal, it is called a success of that organisation. This success depends on proper management of all resources. For example, a game is played to win, a business is carried on to earn a profit, a government functions to look after the overall administration of a country, etc. These goals are decided before conducting the activity and the manager takes the effort to achieve these goals. So management is a goal-oriented activity. 
2. Management is a Group Activity - Management is done for coordination of all resources effectively and efficiently. The activities are done by a team or a group under the guidance of a manager. We have seen this in the definition of management that management means getting things done through the others as well as the decisions are taken by the group i.e. the shareholders or board of directors of the organisation for the group i.e. employees. 
3. Management is Intangible - Management is not a separate function of an organisation. These are the collective efforts of a manager or a group leader. Management is continuously working on the synchronisation of planning, organising, decision making, directing and controlling which cannot be seen physically. However, the results of best management can be experienced in the form of increase profit, smooth functioning of the organisation, achievement of the desired goal, etc. 
4. Management is a Continuous Process - Continuity is an integral part of management. It is essential throughout the life of the organisation. Management is necessary to begin the activity, to run the activity smoothly and to control the activity. This is a never-ending process. Just like the breath is essential to survive, management is essential for the survival of the organisation. 
5. Management is Situational - Management includes techniques like forecasting which help in taking timely and appropriate decisions to handle a particular situation. So definitely the decisions should be based on some principles, techniques and theories of management. While taking the decision situational priorities and conditions are taken into considerations. The technique useful in one situation may not be used in another situation. 
6. Management is Universal - The principles and theories of management are equally applicable to everywhere and in every field such as defence, government administration, business, profession, education, hospital, politics, and social activities and even in family functioning. These principles are guidelines which are flexible and capable of adaptation to every type of organisation where the efforts of human resources are to be coordinated. 
7. Management is Dynamic - Management is dynamic and static. It deals with human efforts, different situations and different activities. It adopts changes in the form of technological change, socio-economical change, political change, environmental change, change at the international level and change in business pattern, etc. to achieve the goal. The adaptation of computers in the place of typewriters, the financial transactions through electronic mode, e-filling of data are a few examples. 

Level of Management

1. Top Level Management – This is the ultimate authority in the organisation which includes the Board of Directors, President, Chief Executive Officer, Managing Directors, etc. Top-level Management frames the vision, mission and long term objective of the organisation and decides the policy to achieve the objectives. Here are some functions of Top Level Management. 
   1. To decide the long term objectives of the organisation.
   2. To frame the plans and policies to achieve objectives. 
   3. To see that the policies are properly implemented. 
   4. To create various departments and positions.
   5. To appoint the In-charge or Head i.e. managers at Middle-level management and give them directions to carry out different activities.
   6. To evaluate the performance of various departments and human resources.
2. Middle-Level Management – It is a level between the top level and lower level of management which works under top-level authorities. It is concerned with the implementation of plans and policies which are decided by the top-level management. It includes In-charge or Head of various departments, for example, Finance Manager, Production Manager, Sales Manager, Human Resources Manager, Marketing Manager, etc. They work on getting things done which are decided by top-level managers with the help of the lower level of management. Here are some functions of Top Level Management. 
   1. To link between the top and lower-level management.
   2. To understand the plans and policies framed by top-level management.
   3. To prepare the plan of action according to the nature of the department by achieving the goals of the overall organisation. 
   4. To assign the duties and responsibilities to the staff working in the department. 
   5. To train the staff for carrying out different activities in future. 
   6. To appoint lower-level staff. 
   7. To give a timely report to top-level management and coordinate the departmental activities.
2. Lower Level Management – Lower level management works under middle-level management. It is also called as an operational or supervisory level of management. It includes Superintendents, Supervisors, Foremen and other Junior Executives.
   1. To work as per the instructions from middle-level management or In charge of the department. 
   2. To assign work to the subordinates. 
   3. To give instructions to subordinates. 
   4. To direct the subordinates wherever necessary.
   5. To solve the problems and settle the disputes of the subordinates.
   6. To look after the repairs and maintenance of machinery, tools and equipment, etc. 
   7. To conduct a quality check of the product or service from time to time.