14 Principles of Management by Henri Fayol

The following article will explore Henri Fayol’s principles of management, which are among the foundational pillars of organizational management. It also discusses effectiveness and offers guidance on organizing and directing resources to achieve business goals. We will dive into the principles, history, and importance of these principles.

Who was Henri Fayol?

A French mining engineer, Henri Fayol was a management theorist. As a mining worker and theorist, he became a prominent thinker amongst management learners. Born in 1841, he developed the 14 principles of management also known as 14 management principles by Henri Fayol. He laid out the foundations regarding managerial ideas. It had a lasting impact on the businessmen and the operations managed today.

Henri Fayol’s 14 Principles of Management

Here are the 14 foundational principles, also known as the 14 principles of management by Henri Fayol, which are crucial for understanding the effects of organisational development in any company or business operation:

1. Division of Work

A famous principle about effective work strategy, division of work, is indeed one of the pioneering strategies. It helps attain efficiency and skill. With a lack of effort, one will be easily able to inspect where one’s pain points lie. That is where the division of work comes in. It is an effective way to find what one is good at and excel in it. There are various project management tools as well, which help one explore the facets of it. Learn what project management is through Foyal’s ideas.

 2. Authority

This aspect is not just about giving orders or making decisions. Henri Fayol believed providing necessary orders to find an effective strategy was right. This goes well for managers who can effectively engage in other team-based goals. Project management can also provide insights into the appropriate steps to take.

3. Unity of Command

Henru Foyal believed that every manager should be able to give orders to one employee. Having one manager removes conflict of interest. It is crucial to maintain an effective project management program across various business units.

 4. Unity of Direction

Unity of direction is useful in project management. People are aligned towards similar objectives. It also makes the outline clear. Objectives are also clear regarding the direction. The efficiency of any organisation is known by understanding how well they are directed towards their own goals. Learn how to become a project manager through various tutorials available.

5. Discipline

Having a disciplined attitude not only helps one attain the agreement easily but also keeps one’s motives clear. Foyal mentioned that the rules should be clear and concise, which keeps the treatment amongst all employees fair and provides no room for any compliance issues.

6. Collective Interest

Individual interests are necessary to sustain a project. However, it is important to maintain collective interest for a longer period of time. Personal goals should never interfere with the project’s goals, which can be achieved effectively. One of the main issues of project management is misdirection, which is easily solved through this idea. Consider exploring the Project Management Master program to learn more about how it works.

7. Remuneration

A fair compensating rule should be made and agreed to. Regarding the rewards, Foyal addressed ensuring that the employees are able to retain their hard work through a sense of achievement. This is done through fair remuneration and choice of compensation. For insights into how compensation affects management, visit Project Management Tools. 

8. Centralized System

Add a centralized system to fit the needs of the organization according to its size. The larger the size, the more bifurcation. This also allows people to be accountable at their own levels. Foyal’s project management ideas always discuss both individual and collective instances of growth.

 9. Scalar Chain

The perfect line of authority, starting from the lowest executive levels to the top management level, should be audited. This clearly makes for an effective communication process, keeps the employees in check, and allows management to be accountable. Explore the Project Management Tutorial to learn more.

10. Order

It is not easy to keep things in order. A systematic organization is evident among businessmen, vendors, and the inside of the company. If there is order, Foyal believed that it would be possible to implement various rules and regulations effectively.

 11. Equity

Equity in a company means that it should be fair for all—not just the top management but also the employees. The employees should also be treated with respect and equality. This will foster a hygienic environment and bring harmony while working.

 12. Stability of Tenure of Personnel

One of the main reasons for the growth of a company is its stability. Foyal pressured the importance of the performance of an individual within the organization, not just the company. He believed that better and stable employment leads to better performance.

 13. Initiative

Taking the initiative not only shows your interest. As a part of the organization, it also means that you are willing to test your skills and prepare for a new approach. Innovating every day means that you test your capabilities, and therefore, initiative is one of the important parts of Foyal’s project management ideas.

 14. Esprit de Corps

Last but not least, the Espirit de Corps is also known as team spirit and unity. Fayol believed that teamwork should be one of the 14 principles that will help workers or businesses collaborate not just amongst themselves but also with other companies. It also helps in overall performance and effectiveness of the work culture. 

History of the 14 Principles of Management

Henri Foyal introduced the 14 Principles of Management in the early 20th century. This work was published in 1916, first as “Administration Industrielle et Générale.” With many years of experience as a mining worker, Foyak was introduced to management practices and pondered what could be improved.

What Is the Importance of the 14 Principles of Management?

It is always important to structure a project or a company space for this matter, even if it is experimental at first. Establishing clear guidelines and communicating univocally keeps the company stable. Foyal believed that teamwork is dreamwork. He also pressed for organizational objectives to be laid out and followed by any layman. As Foyal believed, any effective procedure will lead to great success.

Criticism of Fayol’s Principles of Management

While many took the principles of management seriously and followed through, some resisted the concept. After all, they questioned Foyal’s ideas on the basis of modern tenets and an ever-changing society. This brings into the picture the thought of a society that has so much unpredictability that it could be too rigid for some. At the same time, others would feel that these ideas are too menial. Modern management approaches have, however, brought both changes and stuck to Foyal’s approaches.

Are These Principles of Management Still Relevant?

It can be stated that Fayol’s principles are still applicable to the present day. They offer principles that have been deemed relevant in the management of organizations from time to time. Despite the fact that top management practices have changed over the years, the general of principles of Fayol have not been discarded. Ideally, they provide a proper starting point through which one might begin to comprehend the rudimentary aspects of management work and enhance the productivity of an organisation.

Conclusion

The five elements of organisation and planning constituted 14 principles by Henri Fayol. These are still relevant so far. It gives out important principles that should be followed in managing an organisational structure. Though some of these have been criticised, they are still very much valid in today’s business environment. Knowledge of these principles enables managers to devise proper strategies in order to maximise productivity at the workplace. Other recommended pieces include the PMP Course.

FAQS

What is a principle of management?

A principle of management is a course of action that could be followed to improve management and organization.

Who listed the 14 principles of management?

Henri Fayol came up with what he called the 14 principles of management.

Why is Henry Fayol called the father of management?

Management is attributed to Henri Fayol, who is often referred to as the father of management due to the early work he undertook in developing management knowledge.

What is the importance of the 14 principles of management?

The 14 principles of management give requirement standards of how an organisation should be managed.