Ans : Henri Fayol, the father of the school of Systematic Management, realized that organizations were becoming more complex and required their managers to work more professionally. His motivation was to create a theoretical foundation for an educational program for managers who lacked formal training in those days. Basing his work on his experience as a successful managing director of a mining company, he developed generic 'Principles of Management' to help organizations achieve optimum performance working toward their goals.
Fayol described fourteen Principles of Management with the understanding that his list was neither exhaustive, nor universally applicable:
1. Division of labour
achieving the maximum efficiency from labour through specialisation across all aspects of organisation (commercial, financial, security, accounting, managerial) rather than just technical activities. Fayol did not provide the level of detail that Taylor's competing Scientific Management school prescribed. Scientific Management broke individual operational tasks into its basic elements. Fayol claimed that division of labour is limited as an instrument to achieve optimum performance.
2. Establishment of authority
having the legitimate standing to give orders. Authority arises from two sources: Official and personal. Experience, intelligence, integrity and leadership ability are indispensable complements of a manager's official authority. Managers need to act knowing that authority and responsibility are positively correlated.
3. Enforcement of discipline
upholding discipline is a core activity when running an organisation, although its form varies across organisations. Management can sanction employees with warnings, penalties, demotions or even dismissals.
4. Unity of command
an employee should receive orders from one supervisor only. Dual command generates tension, confusion and conflict, and results diluted responsibility and blurred communication.
5. Unity of direction
a common objective for a group of activities is an essential condition to obtaining unity of action, coordination of strength and the focusing of effort.
6. Subordination of individual interest to the interests of the organisation
reconciling general interest with that of the group or the individual is one of the greatest problems managers face and applies to the relationship between staff and supervisor as well. Too often, managers pursue personal interest rather than the common good.
7. Fair remuneration for all
Fayol determined compensation for services by considering both financial and non-financial factors and held that employee satisfaction is dependent on the composition of this mix.
8. Centralisation of control and authority
Fayol choose the 'living organism' as metaphor for an organisation when considering centralisation versus decentralisation. The level of centralisation is a matter of proportion as is the division of labour.
9. Adoption of a 'scalar chain'
the chain of supervision that connects the managing director to the lowest ranks. Fayol combined hierarchy that makes employees aware of their place and duties, with an organisation's lines of communication. When swift action is required, Fayol's grasp of the limitations of the formal organisation made him propose a system of delegated authority that facilitates horizontal communication.
10. A sense of order and purpose
a place for everything and everything in its place. Facilities must be tidy, materials orderly stored and staff selected according to strict procedures and clear job descriptions. Fayol advocated the creation of detailed organisational charts to support this Principle.
11. Equity and fairness
in dealings between staff and managers equity is the combination of justice and kindness. Managers must constantly apply the correct balance between equity and discipline.
12. Stability of jobs and positions
Fayol viewed personnel planning, management development and turnover as one activity. Both staff and management require suitable induction periods to familiarise themselves with new work habits and situations.
13. Development of individual initiative
Initiative is the power to conceive a plan and ensure its success. Although Fayol regarded management as the first responsible level, he made clear that the Principle extended to all employees through delegated authority.
14. Esprit de Corps
Building and maintaining staff and management morale and unity. Fayol considered the management style of 'divide and rule' counterproductive. The Principles can still be used to identify structural flaws and sources of conflict within an organisation.
Fayol described fourteen Principles of Management with the understanding that his list was neither exhaustive, nor universally applicable:
1. Division of labour
achieving the maximum efficiency from labour through specialisation across all aspects of organisation (commercial, financial, security, accounting, managerial) rather than just technical activities. Fayol did not provide the level of detail that Taylor's competing Scientific Management school prescribed. Scientific Management broke individual operational tasks into its basic elements. Fayol claimed that division of labour is limited as an instrument to achieve optimum performance.
2. Establishment of authority
having the legitimate standing to give orders. Authority arises from two sources: Official and personal. Experience, intelligence, integrity and leadership ability are indispensable complements of a manager's official authority. Managers need to act knowing that authority and responsibility are positively correlated.
3. Enforcement of discipline
upholding discipline is a core activity when running an organisation, although its form varies across organisations. Management can sanction employees with warnings, penalties, demotions or even dismissals.
4. Unity of command
an employee should receive orders from one supervisor only. Dual command generates tension, confusion and conflict, and results diluted responsibility and blurred communication.
5. Unity of direction
a common objective for a group of activities is an essential condition to obtaining unity of action, coordination of strength and the focusing of effort.
6. Subordination of individual interest to the interests of the organisation
reconciling general interest with that of the group or the individual is one of the greatest problems managers face and applies to the relationship between staff and supervisor as well. Too often, managers pursue personal interest rather than the common good.
7. Fair remuneration for all
Fayol determined compensation for services by considering both financial and non-financial factors and held that employee satisfaction is dependent on the composition of this mix.
8. Centralisation of control and authority
Fayol choose the 'living organism' as metaphor for an organisation when considering centralisation versus decentralisation. The level of centralisation is a matter of proportion as is the division of labour.
9. Adoption of a 'scalar chain'
the chain of supervision that connects the managing director to the lowest ranks. Fayol combined hierarchy that makes employees aware of their place and duties, with an organisation's lines of communication. When swift action is required, Fayol's grasp of the limitations of the formal organisation made him propose a system of delegated authority that facilitates horizontal communication.
10. A sense of order and purpose
a place for everything and everything in its place. Facilities must be tidy, materials orderly stored and staff selected according to strict procedures and clear job descriptions. Fayol advocated the creation of detailed organisational charts to support this Principle.
11. Equity and fairness
in dealings between staff and managers equity is the combination of justice and kindness. Managers must constantly apply the correct balance between equity and discipline.
12. Stability of jobs and positions
Fayol viewed personnel planning, management development and turnover as one activity. Both staff and management require suitable induction periods to familiarise themselves with new work habits and situations.
13. Development of individual initiative
Initiative is the power to conceive a plan and ensure its success. Although Fayol regarded management as the first responsible level, he made clear that the Principle extended to all employees through delegated authority.
14. Esprit de Corps
Building and maintaining staff and management morale and unity. Fayol considered the management style of 'divide and rule' counterproductive. The Principles can still be used to identify structural flaws and sources of conflict within an organisation.