UTU3012 – Organizational Plan & Basics of Business Management

Learning Outcomes

  • Define management, management process, and key skills
  • Explain effective communication as a management tool
  • Describe major managerial roles and characteristics of successful managers
  • Identify 55 types of organizational structure
  • Apply SWOT analysis in strategic management
  • Explain human-resource planning

Definition of Management

  • Goal-oriented process accomplished through and with people
  • Relies on 44 core functions: planning, organizing, leading, controlling
  • Manager: coordinates, supports, and supervises others to meet objectives

Process of Management

  • Continuous, resource-based, and goal-directed
  • Planning: set clear goals, craft strategies, guide actions
  • Organizing: arrange resources, assign tasks, establish reporting lines
  • Leading: motivate, guide, inspire to execute plans
  • Controlling: monitor progress, compare with targets, correct deviations

Management Skills

  • Technical: job-specific expertise; critical at lower levels
  • Human: interpersonal ability to work well with all stakeholders; needed at every level
  • Conceptual: analytical, creative view of the “big picture”; grows in importance up the hierarchy

Communication, Effectiveness & Efficiency

  • Effectiveness: doing the right things → goal achievement (quality & quantity)
  • Efficiency: doing things right → minimal resource use
  • Clear, two-way communication underpins both

Mintzberg’s 1010 Managerial Roles

  • Interpersonal: Figurehead, Leader, Liaison
  • Informational: Monitor, Disseminator, Spokesperson
  • Decisional: Entrepreneur, Disturbance Handler, Resource Allocator, Negotiator

Characteristics of Successful Managers

  • Practise open communication
  • Set clear direction & expectations
  • Provide recognition, guidance, and support
  • Design and monitor control systems

Organizational Structures (55 Types)

  • Functional: group by functions; efficient for small, limited-product firms
  • Product: group by product/service; fosters specialization per product
  • Geographical: divisions by location; suits multi-region operations
  • Customer: units aligned to customer segments; addresses distinct needs
  • Matrix: dual authority (function & project); promotes integration but creates role conflict

Strategic Management – SWOT Analysis

  • Strengths: internal capabilities aiding success
  • Weaknesses: internal limitations hindering goals
  • Opportunities: external factors that can be exploited for advantage
  • Threats: external risks that may endanger success