1.
2 THE CONCEPT OF MANAGEMENT
What is Management?
Management is defined as a “creative problem solving-process of planning, organizing, leading and
controlling an organization’s resources to achieve its mission, goals and objectives”.
Management is also defined as the following:
[Link] the actions of the group to achieve a goal in most efficient manner.
2. Getting things done through other people.
3. Process of achieving organizational goals by working with and through people and organizational
resources.
4. Include the process or an instance of managing or being managed (Oxford Concise Dictionary ,
Clarendon Press 1990)
5. The professional administration of business activities.
What is Engineering Management?
Engineering Management is defined as “the activity combining technical knowledge with the ability
to organize and coordinate worker power, materials, machinery and money.
The Basic Functions of Management
The first step in understanding management is to be aware of the five basic functions of management
which are planning, organizing, staffing, leading, and controlling, which wil be individualy discussed
as we progress on this course.
Planning
In order to reach a goal, a plan must be put into place. Deciding which steps are a part of the plan is the
manager’s duty. Conceiving a plan and communicating it clearly is essential.
Organizing
Having materials, resources, and finances available, and well-organized is essential. Organization leads
to efficiency which saves time, money, and energy.
Staffing
Recruiting, selecting, and positioning employees is the first part of staffing. Making sure the right
person is assigned to the right job is integral to completing a goal. Managers must remember that they
have a responsibility to lead, as well. Communication and motivation are necessary for building highly
functioning teams.
Leading
It is common knowledge that not all managers are leaders and all leaders are not managers. It is
incumbent upon managers to learn and practice solid effective leadership skills. Being authentic and
connecting with people on an individual basis are first steps in being an effective leader.
Controlling
Effective engineering managers look for constant improvement. Controlling costs, schedules, and
production plans are all essential to managing a project well and finishing within or under budget.
Controlling that which can be controlled, and responding quickly and efficiently, to those things that do
not go according to plan, are all within the purview of an engineering manager.
