CHAPTER 2 - REVIEW - The Management Universe

In this chapter we have explored, examined and analysed the essential components of the universe in which management operates. We have seen that the essential elements of all management operations are resources and activities. In order to manage these resources and activities effectively planning and control are necessary, and these can be applied at a strategical, tactical and operational level. The distinction between these levels is the timeframe and scale that they involve. This is rather like comparing the management involved in organising a space shuttle programme with managing to get the children of a family to school. Both examples involve management, but are on different levels and timeframes. Both are important to the participants, and involve resources, activities, planning and control.

We have also explored the concepts associated with the evolution of the management universe and the events that occur within it. In attempting to define all of these things succinctly we have introduced equations and diagrams that describe the concepts unambiguously. Descriptions and the words used in them have been chosen extremely carefully in order to ensure that the concepts can be interpreted precisely. Only after each word has been defined as precisely as the English language allows can we use it reliably in an equation or diagram. If anyone disagrees with an equation the acid test is to check the definitions in the dictionary and see if it makes logical sense. Simple arithmetic and algebraic symbols do not allow us to express some of the more unusual relationships between the components in the equations. We have therefore also employed the use of less common logical symbols that allow us to express management equations in a more meaningful way. Like all symbolic equations they are simply an economical shorthand with which we can express particular logical concepts. Most people throughout the world accept the meaning of a tick, a cross, or ‘OK’ without getting too concerned with their origins, or their academic credentials. If these equations are still too difficult to digest the diagrams represent the same concepts in a more obvious way. However, their logic still depends on the same dictionary definitions as the equations.

What is important is not the ability to memorise either the equations or the diagrams, but to appreciate that the relationship between components of the Management Universe can be identified, analysed, and expressed in a logical disciplined manner.

PART 2

A GENERAL THEORY — COMPONENTS

ANATOMY

What are the parts, and where are they?

2  The Management Universe

3  The Requisites of Activities

4  Motivational Objectives and Boundaries

5  Relationships and Roles of Constituents

6  Specialisation, Power, Groups, and Teams

I was thinking, Alice said politely, 'which is the best way out of this wood: its getting so dark. Would you tell me please?' But the fat little men only looked at each other and grinned.