Principles of Management

Lesson

Part 1: what principles of management are like, why managers need them, and Taylor's five principles.

In this lesson you will

Describe the nature of principles of management and explain why managers need them
Explain Taylor's five principles of scientific management with workplace examples

Part 1 at a glance

Concept

What are principles of management?

A principle of management is a broad, general guideline for decision making and behaviour at work.

Table of seven features of the nature of principles of management with their meanings
Feature	What it means
Universal applicability	Useful in every kind of organisation
General guidelines	Guide thinking; no ready-made answers
Formed by practice and experiment	Grew out of managers' experience and tests
Flexible	Can be adapted to the situation
Mainly behavioural	Aim to influence how people act at work
Cause and effect	Show the likely result of an action
Contingent	Their use depends on the conditions

Compare

Pure science

Exact principles about things and forces, applied word for word.

Management

Flexible guidelines about people, adapted to each situation.