Management: definition and principles
Management is getting things done through people by planning, organising, directing and controlling. Fayol gave 14 principles that still guide every kitchen.
What management means
Management is the process of planning, organising, directing and controlling the resources of an organisation (people, money, materials, machines, methods and time) to reach its goals effectively and efficiently. Classic definitions: Henri Fayol: 'To manage is to forecast and plan, to organise, to command, to co-ordinate and to control.' Harold Koontz: 'the art of getting things done through and with people in formally organised groups.' Mary Parker Follett: 'the art of getting things done through people.' Management is goal-oriented, universal, continuous, a group activity, both an art and a science, and works at three levels: top (owner, general manager), middle (catering officer, F&B manager) and lower or supervisory (supervisor, head cook).
Fayol's 14 principles of management
| Principle | Meaning | In a food service unit |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Division of work | Specialisation raises skill and output | Separate cooks for breakfast, tandoor and vegetable cutting |
| 2. Authority and responsibility | The right to give orders must match the duty to answer for results | A supervisor answerable for hygiene must have the power to correct staff |
| 3. Discipline | Obedience to rules and agreements | Caps, aprons, clean nails and on-time reporting |
| 4. Unity of command | Each worker takes orders from one superior only | A cook takes orders from the head cook, not also from the warden |
| 5. Unity of direction | One head and one plan for activities with the same goal | All diet-kitchen work follows one plan under the chief dietitian |
| 6. Subordination of individual interest to general interest | The organisation's goal comes before personal wishes | Staff finish a delayed patient meal service before leaving |
| 7. Remuneration | Fair pay that satisfies both worker and employer | Wages paid on time; fair overtime for banquets |
| 8. Centralisation | How far decisions are kept at the top; balance it with decentralisation | A chain buys centrally; each outlet manager adjusts daily specials |
| 9. Scalar chain | A clear line of authority from top to bottom; a 'gang plank' lets same-level staff talk directly when needed | The storekeeper and head cook settle a shortage directly, then inform the manager |
| 10. Order | A place for everything and everyone, and each in its place | Labelled bins and FIFO shelves; the right person in the right job |
| 11. Equity | Kindness and justice to all | The same rules for all staff, whatever their region, caste or gender |
| 12. Stability of tenure of personnel | Low staff turnover; time to learn the job | Keep trained cooks instead of new casual workers every month |
| 13. Initiative | Let staff think of and carry out plans | A helper suggests a quicker way to peel onions |
| 14. Esprit de corps | Team spirit: union is strength | Celebrating Pongal together; team rewards after a big event |
Fayol and Taylor
Both apply in a kitchen: Fayol's principles shape the organisation; Taylor's methods shape each task, such as a standard way to roll chapatis.
Fayol's principles explain everyday kitchen trouble: a cook told one thing by the chef and another by the dietitian breaks unity of command, and patients get the wrong diet. Clear lines of authority keep therapeutic meals right.
2 marks: “What is unity of command?” Fayol's principle that each employee should receive orders from only one superior, to avoid confusion and conflict.
5 marks: “Define management. Explain its nature.” Give Fayol's or Koontz's definition; explain goal-oriented, universal, continuous, group activity, art and science, three levels.
10 marks: “Explain Fayol's principles of management with examples from a food service unit.” Define management; credit Fayol (1916); explain all 14 principles, each with one kitchen example; contrast briefly with Taylor; conclude.
Fayol's 14 as a chant: Divide, Authorise, Discipline; One boss, One plan, Group first; Pay, Centre, Chain, Order; Equity, Stay, Initiative, Spirit.