Question

Coordination, as the essence of management.

Why is coordination considered the essence of management?

Answer 1

Coordination is not a separate function but a very essence of management. According to George Terry, “Coordination deals with the task of binding efforts in order to ensure successful attainment of an objective. It is an accomplishment by means of planning, organizing, staffing, directing and controlling”. It is an integral part of all the functions of management and not a separate function.

1. Planning requires coordination for:
   • purpose and resources at hand.
   • the master plan of the enterprise and the plans of different divisions.
2. Organizing requires coordination so that:
   • the whole work is systematically allocated and divided into different parts.
   • establishing a working relationship and clearly defines the lines of communication.
   • promotes growth and diversification of an enterprise.
   • leads to specialization which brings effectiveness in administration.
3. Staffing requires coordination for:
   • matching the skills of workers with jobs that should be assigned to them.
   • ensures continuous growth and expansion of the business.
   • improves job satisfaction and morale of employees.
4. Directing requires coordination:
   • to ensures integration of employees’ efforts towards the attainment of organizational goals.
   • helps in initiating actions of people towards achieving organizational goals.
   • To cope up with the changes in the business environment, directing function guides, initiates and motivates employees.
5. Controlling requires coordination for:
   • the proper balance between standards to be achieved and standards that have actually been achieved i.e., planned standards and actual performance.
   • to cope with complexities arising out of expansion and diversification of business activities.

Answer 2

Coordination is not only a function of management but it is also an essence of the management process. Coordination is required in each and every activity and in each and every function of the management. Coordination is maintained in all the activities of the department so that the enterprise can be run efficiently and effectively. The concept of essence is related to the intrinsic nature of the object. Every function of management must in itself be coordinated. So it becomes the central task of the manager to reconcile the differences in approach, timing, effort or interest and to harmonize cooperative and individual goals. The reasons for treating coordination as the essence of management is as follow:

1. Coordination and Planning: Planning cannot prove effective if the sub-plans of the organisation does not match with the overall or main plan. Coordination reconciles the policies and programmes of the various departments with the policies and programs of the organisation, so that overall objectives can be achieved. Proper coordination as well is required when plans of the organisation are prepared with the participation of all the people who are involved in it. Further, coordination can be achieved through planning by integrating the plans of different departments.
2. Coordination and Organizing: Organisation would be poor if there is a lack of harmony in vertical and horizontal authority relationships. Coordination helps in simplifying the organizational structure as well as reduces the conflicts. Coordination is required at the time of the division of work i.e., delegating authority and creating responsibility. So for successfully performing the function of organizing, there is a great need for coordination.
3. Coordination and Staffing: Staffing must be consistent with the needs and the resources of the enterprise. Even the manager requires coordination for performing the function of recruitment, selection, training, development, performance appraisal, transfers, demotion, promotion, etc. Placing the right person at the right place and at the right time requires coordination. So coordination is required for effectively performing the function of management.
4. Coordination and Direction: Direction cannot be proved effective if the orders and instructions given to the employees are not consistent with the requirements of the circumstances. Coordination promotes effective communication, leadership, supervision, and motivation. Similarly, effective communication, leadership, motivation, and supervision enhance coordination in the enterprise.
5. Coordination and Controlling: Controlling creates harmony between planning and performance. For the measurement of actual performance, comparing it with the standards and taking corrective action requires coordination of the different activities and the units in the organisation. So, coordination is required for the performance of the controlling function efficiently.