Seven important features of management are: 1. Management is a Goal Oriented Process 2. Management is all Pervasive or Universal 3. Management is Multi Dimensional 4. Management is a Continuous Process 5. Management is a Group Activity 6. Management is Dynamic Function 7. Management is an Intangible Force.
1. Management is a Goal Oriented Process:
Each and every organisation is established to achieve certain goals. Every business enterprise has different set of goals depending upon the nature of organization. For example, the goal of a newly established school may be to enroll at least 100 students every year while goal of a company may be to sell 200 units of its product daily.
The efforts and the functions of the manager’s viz., planning, organising, directing, staffing and controlling help in achieving these goals. Moreover, the success of management is also measured by the extent to which the established goals are achieved. Thus, these composite functions of management are separately performed by all managers all the time simultaneously to realize organizational goals.
2. Management is all Pervasive or Universal:
Whether it is a commercial organisation or non commercial, big or small, all require management to manage their operations. The activities in management are applicable to every type of organisation whether economic, social, charitable, religious or political.
For example, a cricket team needs to be managed as much as a club or a hospital. The activities of managers in India are similar to their activities in say UK or USA. Thus, it can be said that management is all pervasive and a universal phenomenon.
3. Management is Multi Dimensional:
Management is a complex activity and involves three main dimensions viz. (a) Management of work, (b) Management of people and (c) Management of operations.
(a) Management of Work:
In each and every organization, certain types of jobs are to be performed. In school, overall development of a child is to be done; in hospitals, patients are treated; a departmental store fulfills the need of its customers etc. Management converts these jobs into goals and creates the means to achieve them.
(b) Management of People:
Management is concerned with “getting things done through people”, which itself is not an easy task at all. All the employees have different personalities, needs, backgrounds and methods of work. Thus, management’s job is to make them work as a group by giving common direction to their efforts.
Management encourages them to initiate and do their best for the betterment of the organisation through communication, strong motivation, effective leadership etc. Management of people in this sense means reinforcing their strengths and eliminating their weaknesses.
(c) Management of Operations:
In order to survive, each organisation has to provide certain goods or services. This involves processes that transform inputs into desired output for customers. Thus, management of operations is connected with both the above dimensions too.
4. Management is a Continuous Process:
Management is a continuous process consisting of a series of functions like planning, organising, directing, staffing, and controlling. All the managers perform these functions regularly. Management does not stop anywhere. It continues without breaks and exists as long as organisation exists. There is an ongoing series of functions in which a manager is involved.
5. Management is a Group Activity:
The management consists of a number of persons who work as a group. Efforts of all the members of group are directed towards achievement of common organisational goals. Members of any organisation may have different purpose for joining the organisation but as its members they have to initiate, communicate, coordinate and join their hands for the achievement of organisational goals. Hence, it is a group activity.
6. Management is Dynamic Function:
The environment in which a business exists keeps on changing. Thus, in order to be successful, management must change its goals, plans and policies according to the needs of its environment. For example, Maruti Suzuki brought many new and latest modifications in its cars to face the competition from foreign automobile companies.
7. Management is an Intangible Force:
Management cannot be seen but we can realise the presence of management in the operations of the organisation. Absence of mismanagement is essential for the existence of sound management. For example, increasing inventory of finished products clearly indicates mismanagement by the organisation but on the other hand attainment of targeted production, satisfaction of employees and orderliness instead of chaos are indicators of presence of sound management in non- marketing areas.
So, Management is an unseen force which reflects the collective efforts of people. All successful organisations viz. Reliance, Tata, Birla etc. do not achieve their goals by chance but by following a deliberate process called Management.