Planning

Staffing

Directing

Controlling

Organizing

The
Administrative
Directing Function of Management

Directing is said to be a process in which the

managers instruct, guide and oversee the
performance of the workers to achieve
predetermined goals. Directing is said to be
the heart of management process.
Planning, organizing, staffing has got no
importance if direction function does not
take place. Directing initiates action and it is
from here actual work starts. Direction is
said to be consisting of human factors.
 Characteristics of Direction Function
Direction has got following characteristics:

ive F u n c ti o n : D irecting is
Pervas a n ization.
le v e ls o f o rg
required at all
a n a g er p ro v id e s guidance
Every m ordinates.
p ira tio n to h is s u b
and ins Continuous
Activity: Dire
a continuous ction is
activity as it
continuous t
hroughout th
organization e life of
.
n F ac to r: D ir e c ti n g function is
Hu m a n d th erefore
o rd in a te s a
related to sub
late d to h u m a n factor. Since
it is re a n d b ehaviour
is c o m p le x
human factor
red ic tab le , d ire c ti on function
is unp
t.
becomes importan
 Characteristics of Direction Function
Direction has got following characteristics:

e A c tiv it y : D ire c tion

Creativ ng
h e lp s in c o n ve r ti
function Delegate Fun
ns into p e r fo r m a nce. ction - Direc
pla o p le is supposed tion
h is f u n c tio n , p e to be a functi
Without t sic a l
dealing with
human being
on
c ti ve a n d p h y s.
become ina Human beha
viou
c e s a r e m e a nin g le ss. unpredictable r is
resour conditioning
by nature an
d
the people’s
behaviour to
tio n fu nction is wards the go
o n - D ir ec the enterpris als of
Executive Functi rs and
e is what the
u t by a ll m a n a g e executive do
carried o ro u g h o u t the es in this fun
ction.
le ve ls th
executives at all a s u b o rdinate
n te rp ri se ,
working of an e h is su p erior
tio n s fr o m
receives instruc
only.
 Importance of Directing Function
Directing or Direction function is said to be the
heart of management of process and therefore, is
of Resources
Efficient Utilization

the central point around which accomplishment of

the c with
es
goals take place. A few philosophers call Direction
hang as “Life spark of an enterprise”. It is also called as
g up

bil s
on actuating function of management because it is

Sta ide
ity
through direction that the operation of an
rov
Copin

enterprise actually starts. Being the central

It P

o f character of enterprise, it provides many

ns n benefits to a concern which are
a
e ati o
M v as follows:
oti
M
ffo rts
te s E
It Ingra

It Initiates Actions
Let’s look at each in detail.
 It Initiates Actions

It Initiates Actions:
of Resources
Efficient Utilization

the c with
es
• Directing is the fun
hang ction which is the s
point of the work p tarting
g up

bil s
erformance of sub

Sta ide
ity
ordinates.
rov • It is from this
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function the action

subordinates unde takes place;
It P

o f
accordsing to the in
rstand their jobs an
d do
e an tion s tru ctions laid.
• W Mhate vvaer are plans laid,
onlyooti can be implemente
M ce the actual work starts. It is the d
n
direction becomes re that
b e n eficial.
rts
Effo
ate s
Ing r
It

It Initiates Actions
 It Integrates Efforts

It Integrates Efforts
of Resources
Efficient Utilization

:
the c with
es
• Through direction,
hang the superiors are a
ble to guide,
inspire and instruct
g up

bil s
the subordinates to

Sta ide
ity
this, efforts of every work. For
rov individual towards
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accomplishment of
goals are required.
It P

• f
It is thsroough directi
a n
depeartmti o n on the efforts of ev
ery
a ent can be related
oMtheorsti.vThis can be done th and integrated with
leaMdership and effe rough persuasive
ctive communicatio
Integration of efftosrt n.
o r s b ring effectiveness a
stabilityteins aEffc o n nd
Ing r a c e rn .
It

It Initiates Actions
 Means of Motivation

Means of Motivati
on:
of Resources
Efficient Utilization

the c with
es
•
hang Direction function h
elps in achievemen
of goals. A manage t
g up

bil s
r makes use of the
Sta ide
ity
rov element of motivati
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on here to improve
the perfformances o
It P

o f subordinates.
• Theis n s n
a catinobe done by
M v a providing incentive
or cootimpensation, w s
M hether monetary o
non - monetary, wh r
s ich serves as a
“Morale b o
ff t
orster ” to the s
te s E ubordinates
M o r a
gtiv
It In ation is also helpful for the
subordinates to giv
e the best of their
abilities which ultim
It Initiates Actions ately helps in growth.
 It Provides Stability

It Provides Stability
:
of Resources
Efficient Utilization

the c with
es
• Stability and balan
hang ce in a firm becom
important for long es very
g up

term survival in th

bil s
Sta ide
e market.

ity
• This can be b
rov rought upon by the
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the help of four to managers with

ols or elements of
It P

functioonf - judiciou direction

s n s blend of persuasiv
leaedaenrshipo , e
sM atiio
upetirvvis
e ffe c ti ve communication,
strict
n and efficient moti
o vation.
M
• Stability is v
ery important sinc
of growth of aonrtesn e that is an index
ff
can uraseteosf Eall the fo
terprise. Therefore
, a manager
g ur tr
ItpIenrformance standards aits in him so that
can be maintained
.
It Initiates Actions
 Coping Up with the Changes

Coping Up with the

of Resources

Changes:
Efficient Utilization

the c with
es
•
hang It is a human behav
iour that human
beings show resista
g up

bil s
Sta ide
nce to change.

ity
rov • It is directing
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function which is o
f use to
It P

meet w f it
o h changes in enviro
s nment, both
ineteanrnatiloans externa
M tiva l.
• Effeoctive com
M munication helps in
up with the chsange coping
o rt s. It is the role of
ff
manatgeesrEhere to co
ng ra mmunicate the nat
ItaInd contents of changes ure
very clearly to
the subordinates.
It Initiates Actions
Efficient Utilization of Resources

:Efficient Utilization of Resources

of Resources
Efficient Utilization

the c with
es
g the role
•
hang Direction finance helps in clarifyin
inat e to w ar ds his w ork. The
g up

ev er y su bo rd

bil s
of

Sta ide
ity
only when
rov resources can be utilized properly
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orts,
less of wastages, duplication of eff
It P

o fing of performances, etc. doesn’t

overla pp
s n
n o
ta eaplac
ke tie.
M tiva
o
ro ug h di re cti on, th e ro le of su bo rdinates
• ThM
become clear as manager makes use of his
ffo rts idance, the instructions
supearv is
e s E
or y, the gu
g r t
I d motivation skill to inspire the
n
It an
um
subordinates. This helps in maxim
ss ib le uti lizati on of re so ur ce s of men,
po
It Initiates Actions and money which helps
machine materials
,
ofits.
in reducing costs and increasing pr