The Management Cycle

As we move forward with our study of different management styles I thought it would be a good idea to briefly discuss the management cycle. The management cycle is akin to the backbone of an organisation. Managers make plans, monitor the results, explain the outclime, and then make changes to the plan as appropriate. Rinse. Repeat.

Every manager participates in this cycle on some level, whether he’s a part of middle management or upper management. Each person may have a different expectation regarding the outcome of a process, depending on the level of management he is at. Lower management and middle management members may each be designing processes to complete a specific part of the overall task. Upper management may only see the overall project and what they perceive to be the final outcome.

Everyone has the same goal, though – to see hundreds or thousands of pieces of information distributed in a manner that allows employees to effectively complete their jobs. Your CEOs are relying on the trickle down effect – where middle management takes information, pulls it apart, and divides it accordingly.

In short, those involved in the management cycle are responsible for creating systems in which information is properly coordinated. The end result will be a properly linked and executed strategy, no matter what the project entails. Failure to have a strong plan for sharing information will only result in disaster when something as simple as a lost piece of information stops an entire project.

What methods do you have for streamlining the dissemination of information within your organisation? Can you identify your own role in the managment cycle? Are these things covered in your management training courses?

Thanks again,

Sean

Sean McPheat

Managing Director

MTD Training