MOS 1302 – Management Process and Practice

Study Notes

Management is the process of achieving organizational goals efficiently and effectively through planning, organizing, leading, and controlling resources.
Essential functions of management include:
- Planning: Setting objectives and deciding on methods to achieve them.
- Organizing: Allocating resources and assigning tasks to meet objectives.
- Leading: Influence and motivate employees to work towards goals.
- Controlling: Monitoring progress and making necessary adjustments.

Effectiveness is defined as "doing the right thing," while efficiency refers to "doing things right."
High effectiveness and high efficiency lead to growth; low effectiveness and low efficiency can lead to failure.

Conceptual Skills: Ability to understand the organization as a whole and identify relationships within its components.
Human Skills: Competence in working with others, both as a team member and a leader.
Technical Skills: Understanding specific operational tasks and processes within the organization.

Top-Level Managers (e.g., CEOs) require high conceptual and human skills.
Middle-Level Managers (e.g., Vice Presidents) balance human and technical skills.
Lower-Level Managers, such as first-line managers, focus on technical skills.

Functional Managers: Oversee departments specializing in single functional tasks (e.g., HR, Finance).
Line Managers: Manage production and sales departments directly involved with products/services.
Staff Managers: Head departments that support line functions (e.g., HR and finance).
General Managers: Oversee multiple departments with diverse functions.
Project Managers: Coordinate teams across departments for specific projects.

Interpersonal Roles:
- Figurehead: Ceremonial duties arising from their managerial position.
- Leader: Building relationships, motivating, and coaching subordinates.
- Liaison: Networking inside and outside the organization.
Informational Roles:
- Monitor: Scanning the environment for information.
- Disseminator: Sharing useful information with subordinates.
- Spokesperson: Representing and communicating on behalf of the organization externally.
Decision-making Roles:
- Entrepreneur: Innovating and spearheading change.
- Disturbance Handler: Addressing unexpected issues.
- Resource Allocator: Distributing resources efficiently.
- Negotiator: Engaging in negotiations to advance organizational interests.

In the new workplace paradigm:
- Technology focuses on digital resources over mechanical processes.
- Global considerations replace local market focuses.
- Workforce diversity is prioritized over homogeneity.
- The pace of change is rapid and frequent.
- Emphasis on collaboration instead of conflict among employees.
New competencies for managers include:
- Leading empowered and flexible teams.
- Utilizing information and knowledge as primary resources rather than physical assets.
- Engaging in a collaborative approach to management.