Henri Fayol’s 5 Functions of Management

Question 1

Question:
Who was Henri Fayol, and what are his 5 Functions of Management? How do they work, and how can they be applied in a modern organisation?

Answer 1

Answer:
Henri Fayol (1841–1925) was a French mining engineer and one of the earliest management theorists. He developed the 5 Functions of Management to describe the universal tasks managers perform to run organisations efficiently.

🧱 Fayol’s 5 Functions of Management:

Function - 1. Planning
Meaning- Setting goals and creating strategies
Modern Example - Creating a 3-month sales target

Function - 2. Organising
Meaning- Allocating resources and assigning roles
Modern Example - Delegating roles across departments

Function - 3. Commanding (now “Leading”)
Meaning- Giving instructions and motivating staff
Modern Example - Managing a team meeting or briefing

Function - 4. Coordinating
Meaning- Aligning activities for harmony
Modern Example - Syncing marketing and finance efforts

Function - 5. Controlling
Meaning- Monitoring progress and making adjustments
Modern Example - Reviewing performance reports and KPIs

🏢 How It’s Used Today:
Fayol’s model is still used in:

Job descriptions for managers

Project planning templates

Organisational leadership and business courses

It’s the backbone of modern management practice — ensuring organisations have structure, leadership, and oversight.

📊 Why It Matters:
Clear model for management responsibilities

Easy to apply across any industry or sector

Helps keep teams organised, aligned, and productive

May feel rigid in creative or fast-changing environments