Review and Reflection

Review and Reflection   Learning Objectives Assess learning gained from overall course and from writing a decision-making and principles of management plan Assess management best practices for improving a struggling company Reading and Resources Submit the final version of your paper for Final Project Two, which includes all critical elements for all three sections—profile, management plan recommendations, and conclusion—within a single document. It should be a complete, polished artifact containing all the critical elements of the final product. It should reflect the incorporation of feedback gained throughout the course. Module Seven wrapped up the leading facet of the P-O-L-C framework as students were introduced to the keys of effective communication and effective management of groups and teams. Communication plays a critical role in ensuring that all aspects of the organization are aligned and informed about the organizational mission, vision, strategy, goals, and objectives. Effectively managing groups and teams is another important element in the leading facet as properly motivating and structuring groups and teams will provide the organization with a greater chance for success. As you move into Module Eight, the focus will be on reflecting upon and reviewing the principles of management studied in this course and considering how these principles can be applied toward a future career in management. In Module Eight, you should take time to reflect upon and review the material from the past seven weeks as it relates to the principles of management and the P-O-L-C framework. The P-O-L-C framework, which consists of planning, organizing, leading, and controlling, serves as a good foundation of knowledge for students who wish to pursue a career in management. Carpenter, Bauer, Erdogan, and Short (2013) state the following: A manager’s primary challenge is to solve problems. The four functions of the P-O-LC framework are highly integrated when carried out in the day-to-day realities of running an organization. Although these functions may not accurately depict the dayto-day actions of actual managers on any given day, the P-O-L-C categorization of management functions continues to serve as an effective framework for classifying the activities managers engage in as they attempt to achieve organizational goals. (p. 18) It is important to recognize that the P-O-L-C framework is just that—a framework for management. Managers must understand how the dynamics of the organization interact and how the behaviors and actions of the employees impact organizational performance. Managers may not be exposed to all facets of the P-O-L-C framework on a regular basis; however, management will play a critical role at some point to communicate, implement, and execute all facets of the P-O-L-C framework.  Managers will carry out the planning facet by defining the mission and vision, developing a strategy to carry out the mission and vision, and establishing goals and objectives to indicate how successful the strategy is. Managers will develop the organizing facet by properly designing and structuring the organization to achieve organizational goals and objectives and to cultivate an organizational culture that inspires and motivates employees. Managers must also develop skills in the leading facet, as they will be called upon to act as leaders in the organization through effective decision making, robust communication, and employing techniques to motivate employees. Lastly, managers must ensure performance through the controlling facet by establishing standards to ensure that organizational goals and objectives are being met and to determine if the strategy is moving the organization in the right direction. Management is a rewarding career choice, but it will present challenges. However, many challenges can be overcome by employing the principles of management and considering how the P-O-L-C framework can create a successful organization. Reference Carpenter, M., Bauer, T., Erdogan, B. & Short, J. (2013). Principles of management (Version 2.0). Washington, DC: Flat World Knowledge, Inc.