ME - Updated
ME - Updated
Decision-Making Steps
1. Awareness of the Problem – The first step is recognizing the problem that needs managerial
attention. It arises when there is a gap between the current state and the desired outcome.
2. Diagnose and Define the Problem – The manager must clearly identify the root cause of the
issue rather than just its symptoms. A proper analysis ensures that time is not wasted on solving
the wrong problem.
3. Develop Alternatives – Various possible solutions are explored. Creativity, research, and
innovative thinking are crucial in this stage to ensure the best alternatives are considered.
4. Evaluate Alternatives – Each alternative is analyzed based on its advantages, disadvantages,
feasibility, and potential impact. The goal is to find a workable and practical solution.
5. Select the Best Alternative – The decision-maker chooses the most effective solution by
considering factors like risks, cost-effectiveness, timing, and resource availability.
6. Implement and Verify the Decision – Once a decision is made, it is put into action. Feedback is
gathered to assess its effectiveness, and necessary adjustments are made if needed.
1. Management as a Science
It has a systematic body of knowledge.
Based on principles developed through observation and experimentation.
Uses scientific methods to solve problems and make decisions.
2. Management as an Art
Requires creativity, intuition, and personal skills.
Involves the practical application of theories to real-world situations.
Just like an artist refines their craft, managers develop their expertise through experience.
3. Management as a Profession
It has a specialized body of knowledge and requires formal education.
Involves ethical standards and responsibilities.
Professional organizations like the Institute of Management Accountants (IMA) and
Project Management Institute (PMI) set guidelines.
Thus, management is both a science and an art, as science provides knowledge, and art involves its
application. It is also evolving as a profession due to the increasing need for managerial expertise.
Types of Plans
Plans help managers in decision-making, resource utilization, and guiding employee behavior. These
plans are categorized into Single-Use Plans and Standing Plans.
Single-Use Plans
These plans are made for one-time use and are applied to specific projects or objectives.
Standing Plans
These are ongoing plans that provide consistency in decision-making and actions.
These plans ensure smooth operations and effective management within an organization.
Types of Departmentalization:
1. Functional Departmentalization:
Groups activities by functions like production, marketing, finance, etc.
Merits: Efficient for repetitive tasks, clear authority, easier budgeting.
Demerits: No overall project responsibility, slow decision-making, conflicts between functions.
2. Geographical Departmentalization:
Divides the organization by regions (e.g., North, South).
Merits: Personalized services, quick local response, more business opportunities.
Demerits: Communication delays, resource duplication, higher overhead costs.
3. Product Departmentalization:
Divides based on products (e.g., electronics, food).
Merits: Independent responsibility, strong market focus, quick response to market changes.
Demerits: High overheads, low collaboration between divisions, resource duplication.
4. Customer-Oriented Departmentalization:
Divides based on customer types (e.g., defense division).
Merits: Better customer interaction, meets specific needs.
Demerits: Potential resource duplication, fragmentation.
Steps of Staffing
1. Manpower Planning: Ensures the organization has the right number of people with the right
skills. It can be short-term (matching current employees to current jobs) or long-term (matching
future jobs to future candidates).
2. Recruitment: The process of attracting candidates through:
- Internal sources: Promotions and transfers.
- External sources: Advertising, job portals, referrals, college recruitment, and employment
exchanges.
3. Selection: Comparing candidates' qualifications with job requirements and eliminating unsuitable
ones. Steps include job analysis, application screening, interviews, tests, reference checks, and
medical exams.
4. Placement: Assigning the right person to the right job to maximize their potential.
5. Induction (Orientation): Introducing new employees to the company’s environment, culture, and
rules to ensure a smooth transition.