Question

In order to make the ‘Annual Day’ of the school a successful event, the Headmistress of the school segregated all the activities into task groups each one dealing with a specific area. For instance, decorations, refreshments, backstage support, etc. Each group was put under the charge of one teacher. Identify the function of management performed by the Headmistress by dividing the activities and assigning the duties?

• A. Planning
• B. Organising
• C. Staffing
• D. Directing

Hint:

Remember:

• Organising $\rightarrow$ Grouping activities and assigning duties
• It creates a proper structure for achieving goals efficiently

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Understanding the Concept:
Organising is the management function that follows planning.
It involves the process of defining and grouping the activities of an organization and establishing authority-responsibility relationships among them.
The primary purpose of organizing is to create a structure that allows individuals to work together effectively to achieve predetermined goals.
It involves translating plans into action by identifying work, grouping it, and assigning it to the right people.
Step 2: Detailed Explanation:
The Headmistress's actions follow the logical steps of the Organising process:
1. Identification and Division of Work: The first step in organizing is identifying the total volume of work.
In this case, the Headmistress identifies all activities needed for the 'Annual Day'—decorations, refreshments, seating, backstage, etc.—and divides them to avoid duplication of effort.
2. Departmentalization/Grouping: Activities of a similar nature are grouped together.
She created "task groups," which is a form of departmentalization based on the type of activity.
For example, all activities related to food were grouped under the 'Refreshments' group.
3. Assignment of Duties: Once the groups are formed, it is essential to allocate the work to specific individuals.
The Headmistress assigned each group to a specific teacher.
This ensures that every task has a responsible leader and that people know exactly what is expected of them.
4. Establishing Reporting Relationships: By putting a teacher "in charge" of a group, she has created a clear hierarchy.
The group members know they report to that teacher, and the teacher reports to the Headmistress.
Analysis of Incorrect Options:
- Planning (A): This would have involved the Headmistress merely deciding that an Annual Day will happen and setting the dates or budget.
- Staffing (C): This would involve the recruitment and selection of new teachers or employees for the school.
- Directing (D): This would involve the Headmistress actually instructing and motivating the teachers during the execution phase.
Step 3: Final Answer:
The specific actions of segregating activities and assigning duties define the core of the Organising function.
It is the act of providing a skeletal framework for the event's execution.