After around 8 years of management practice, we were asked about the definition of management. The straight forward thought was roaming around the art of running a process to achieve objectives. Very close, but what differentiates academics than real life, is the broad and comprehensive definitions for the most familiar expression you have been used. Management is the art of achieving objectives using resources in an efficient and effective way. Resources include human, machine, materials and knowledge. Effectiveness reflect the full achievement of the goal, efficiency raise the issue of optimization. The definition specify the main role of a manager in setting or seeking objectives, use and allocate resources, run and control resources effectively and efficiently (no burning tires) to achieve previously set goals.
Management includes a number of certain activities or practices that is running continuously, the main four are: Planning, Organizing, Leading and Control . Some text books add Staffing as one extra activity placed before Organizing. At a quick glance, planning will include listing objectives and deciding what to do, organizing will include defining roles of personnel, responsibility and authority. This is important for avoiding conflicts in work procedures and answer the question “who will do what?” clearly.