Coordination

The essentials

Coordination is the process by which a manager synchronises the activities of different departments and individuals so that they work together towards common goals. It is called the essence of management because it is needed in every function and at every level. Without it, departments may pull in different directions.

Key points

• Features: it integrates group efforts, ensures unity of action, is a continuous process, is an all-pervasive function, is the responsibility of all managers, and is a deliberate function (it does not happen on its own).
• Importance: as an organisation grows in size, the number of people increases and coordination is needed to integrate them; functional differentiation (separate departments with their own goals) creates a need to link them; specialisation creates specialists who may think only of their own field and need to be brought together.
• Coordination is needed at all levels: top managers coordinate the whole organisation, middle managers coordinate between departments and supervisors coordinate the work of their workers.

Exam tips

• If a case shows production making goods that marketing cannot sell, the missing element is coordination.
• Remember the three reasons coordination is needed: growth in size, functional differentiation and specialisation.

Common mistakes

• Saying coordination is the job of top management only. It is the responsibility of all managers.
• Saying coordination happens automatically when people cooperate. Cooperation is voluntary, but coordination is a deliberate effort by managers.