business.com receives compensation from some of the companies listed on this page. Advertising Disclosure

Home

Management Theory of Henri Fayol

Janet Krenn
Jul 02, 2011

Articles, reports, and other resources on Fayol's management theory

Henri Fayol's management theory is a simple model of how management interacts with personnel.

Henri Fayol's management theory is a simple model of how management interacts with personnel. Fayol's management theory covers concepts in a broad way, so almost any business can apply his theory of management. Today the business community considers Fayol's classical management theory as a relevant guide to productively managing staff.

The management theory of Henri Fayol includes 14 principles of management. From these principles, Fayol concluded that management should interact with personnel in five basic ways in order to control and plan production.

1. Planning. According to Fayol's theory, management must plan and schedule every part of industrial processes.

2. Organizing. Henri Fayol argued that in addition to planning a manufacturing process, management must also make certain all of the necessary resources (raw materials, personnel, etc.) came together at the appropriate time of production.

3. Commanding. Henri Fayol's management theory states that management must encourage and direct personnel activity.

4. Coordinating. According to the management theory of Henri Fayol, management must make certain that personnel works together in a cooperative fashion.

5. Controlling. The final management activity, according to Henri Fayol, is for the manager to evaluate and ensure that personnel follow management's commands. Related ContentPopular Management Theories Decoded [INFOGRAPHIC]

Find summaries of Henri Fayol's management theory online

For the easiest way to view information on Fayol's management theory, look up online summaries that delve into Fayol's 14 principles of management.

Editor's Note: Looking for Performance Management Software for your business? If you're looking for information to help you choose the one that's right for you, use the questionnaire below to have our sister site, BuyerZone, provide you with information from a variety of vendors for free:

Use consulting services to tailor Henri Fayol's management theory to your business

Management consultants can help you work new ideas and plans into your current work environment. Believe it or not, many management consulting companies specialize in the classical management theory of Henri Fayol.

Locate workshops and online courses to help you make the most of Fayol's management theory

Fayol's classical management theory often gets absorbed under the title "Project Management." So if you're looking for courses or workshops to help you better understand his theory and 14 principles of management, try looking for Project Management courses, and ask the instructor for a syllabus before you sign up. This will ensure that you enroll in a class with the right focus.

University of New England and Watermark Learning both offer extensive online training in Project Management that covers Fayol's theory as well.

Keep in mind the limitations of Fayol's management theory. Since its publication in the early 1900s, Fayol's theory of management has come under criticism. Fayol never conducted research; instead he based his theory on personal experience.

Image Credit: NicoElNino/Shutterstock
Janet Krenn