1.3 The four functions of management · The four functions of management are planning, organising, leading and controlling (POLC). . POLC functions work together as a process that can be used across all management levels and industries. The process of setting objectives and determining how to accomplish them. The process of measuring performance and taking action to ensure the planned outcomes are achieved. Planning Controlling Organising Leading The process of arranging resources (including people) to work together to accomplish a goal. The process of inspiring oneself (or others) to work hard to accomplish important tasks. POLC and self-management Planning · Good planning is integral to successful outcomes · Setting goals is an important first step to planning . A tool used to check that your goals are useful and applicable to your situation is by applying the SMART goals criteria Specific Measurable Achievable Relevant Time-bound · Goal setting should be challenging - should extend you without breaking you · Feedback should be available to see if you are on track . Your goals should be focused on things you have control over . The focus of your goal should be on what you learn rather than the outcome Organising
. Pulling together all the resources you'll need to achieve your goals These resources include the following: Time There are many time management approaches you can use to organise your time in this unit effectively. Some of these are outlined in these resources: · Personal SWOT analysis: Strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (Mind Tools n.d.) · Managing yourself: Extreme productivity (Pozen 2011) . The seven habits of highly effective people: Restoring the character ethic (Covey 1989) · Getting things done (Schaller 2002) There are many more time management tools; calendars, task list, outlook etc. Leading · Motivating and inspiring work effort of yourself/those around you . However procrastination can get in the way (putting something off until later) The reasons why procrastination takes place (Steele 2007): 1. The task is boring or tedious 2. The person fears failure 3. They have low confidence in their abilities 4. They have low self-esteem or are self-handicapping 5. They have depression 6. They are easily distracted Strategies for overcoming procrastination . Choose units that really interest you . Consider how tasks relate to your long-term aspirations · Organisation · Reframe failure as a learning experience . See the task as a way of stretching your abilities . Mentally separate your self-esteem from the task; realise you are capable of improvement/growth · Build skills through the LAS centre · Counselling for depression/anxiety · Structure environment to reduce distractions Controlling The three types of controls · The process of measuring performance and taking action to ensure the planned outcomes are achieved
. There are 3 main types of controls you can apply to your self-management of a task · These are applied at different stages Feedforward controls (before the task): . What are the requirements of the task? . Have you read the criteria for the