Which statement accurately describes Fayol's four management functions?

• A. They Are Exclusive To Nursing
• B. They Focus On Staffing Only
• C. They Were Introduced By Douglas McGregor
• D. They Are Planning, Organizing, Directing, Controlling

Answer: (D)

Fayol’s four management functions provide a universal way to look at what managers do across any field. The four are planning, organizing, directing, and controlling. Planning means deciding in advance what goals to pursue and what actions to take. Organizing involves arranging people, tasks, and resources so the plan can be carried out. Directing (leading) is about guiding, motivating, and supervising people to perform their work. Controlling is checking progress, comparing actual results with the plan, and making adjustments to stay on course. This framework was proposed by Henri Fayol as part of early 20th-century management theory and isn’t limited to nursing or staffing. It also isn’t associated with Douglas McGregor, who is known for Theory X and Theory Y.