The four primary functions in management—Planning, Organizing, Directing, and Controlling—were introduced by which individual?

• A. Lilian Gilbreth
• B. Mariata Subong
• C. Douglas McGregor
• D. Henry Fayol

Answer: (D)

Henry Fayol introduced the four primary management functions as part of his early management theory. He described planning, organizing, directing (often called commanding or leading), and controlling as the essential activities that managers perform to set goals, arrange resources, lead people, and monitor performance to ensure goals are met. This framework became foundational in classical management and is why Fayol is credited with these functions. The other names relate to different management ideas—Lilian Gilbreth is known for time-and-motion studies, Douglas McGregor for Theory X and Y, and the other option isn’t a recognized contributor to this framework.