Download The Management Cycle Session Aims: To explore the Key functions

The Management Cycle
Session Aims: To explore the Key functions of management.
Session objectives: Understand what skills are required to become an effective
manager? Explore the roles a manager will undertake on a daily basis.
Last week we started to look at different management styles. Here we will look a bit
closer at the role of a Manager? And one of these roles would be decision making.
Some managers find this is a fairly easy process and others find it extremely difficult.
The function of a manager would certainly depend on their particular job role so here
we will take a typical construction site manager as our role model, i.e. 'The person
responsible for the day to day running of the construction site.' and explore firstly the
decision-making cycle and secondly the management cycle.
Management Theorists
Session Aims: Investigate some of the Management Theory and discuss its role in
modern organisations.
Session objectives: Identify Management Theory. Understand the purpose of work
groups.
In many companies it is normal for people to work in groups. Each group will vary in
size depending on the company but all of the groups will come under the control of a
manager. From a company’s point of view a manager is often judged on how that
team performs in terms of efficiency and performance. This has prompted people to
look at how groups perform and many of these observers have developed theories
on how to maximise efficiency and reward employee's for their efforts.
Company Set-Up
Session Aims: To explore a Companies aims, vision and development.
Session objectives: Identify the requirements for a company mission statement.
Recognise a companies purpose or reason for being. Understand the role of a
company ethos. Effective communication techniques for a company mission
statement.
"What distinguishes any organisation from another is its essential purpose, and the
way in which that purpose is carried out. If the purpose and the consequent action
are both made explicit, the organisation has a much greater chance of success."
(Garratt, 2002, p52).
Outside Visit Celtest and Menai Straits
Session Aims: Opportunity to visit a major materials testing centre and to view two
historical construction projects
Session objectives: Identify different types of material testing. View material test
equipment. Observe actual testing of materials being completed. Understand the
requirement for collecting accurate data. Appreciate the use of a recognised
management system for recording geotechnical information. Discuss construction
techniques associated with civil engineering structures. Observe how the design of
the structures may have been influenced by the local topography. Identify positive
and negative environmental impacts of the two bridges.
Transport - A College mini bus has been booked for this trip and will be leaving the
MBEC at approx. 9.15am. If students wish to meet us at Celtest the address is:
Please make sure you inform Either Dave Roberto or Paul Jones if you are planning
on using your own transport.
The trip will commence at approximately 9.45am from the Celtest Offices and finish
at 11.30am.
After a break for lunch the trip will continue in Menai Bridge with a short trip to view
and discuss the construction methods used to construct the Menai suspension
bridge and the Britannia Bridge.
The second part of the trip will commence at approximately 1.30pm and finish about
2.45pm. The mini bus will then return to college for around 3.30pm.
Literacy Tip
Listen carefully to the presentations and demonstrations given throughout the visit.
Be prepared to take notes of some of the key points as you may want to include
some of this information in your current and possibly future assignments.
PPE - There is no requirement for the PPE (Personal Protective Equipment) for the
visit to Celtest or the Menai Straits. We will be parking just inside the entrance to
Celtest and all students will be required to sign in at reception. The trip will primarily
focus on the different types of material testing undertaken at Celtest, a good
opportunity to research information for assignment work. One of the other roles
undertaken by Celtest is that of Management Systems Consultancy, so you may
want to prepare some questions on this subject.
The weather around Menai Straits can change quite suddenly so waterproof jackets
and warm clothing is recommended along with sensible walking shoes/boots. It is
advisable for safety glasses (normal glasses will suffice) to be worn as small
particles of sand and grit may be blown across the site depending on weather
conditions.
There are no Toilet facilities at the Menai site, the nearest being the Waitrose
supermarket, anyone using their own vehicles please be aware the car park is pay
and display.
Risk Assessment - As part of this trip we are entering a working environment so it is
important that everyone stays in a group and does not wander off. A risk assessment
has been produced for this visit which you should read and please take note of the
control measures as this is for your safety.
End of section questions
1. What type of tests are carried out on soils?
2. What chemical is used to help remove bitumen from a sample of Asphalt material
during testing?
3. In addition to concrete cubes what other materials are crushed to test their
strength?
4. Name three parts of the Menai suspension bridge that have been added after its
initial construction?
5. What is carried over the Menai Straits by the Britannia Bridge?
Operations Management
Session Aims: To explore functions of the management process.
Session objectives: Identify efficiency in a management process. Calculate the worth
of a manager at various levels. Understand ethical behaviour and its importance in in
a company ethos.
Operations Management is a broad subject in itself and covers every function from
finance through to marketing. In essence operations management will cover four
basic functions which are finance, marketing, personnel and operations. Some
managers may well become experts in one of these fields, whereas others may well
be expected to deal with all four functions of operations management.
Company organisational structures
Session Aims: Identify different company structures and team roles.
Session objectives: Understand how job roles fit into a company structure. Identify
Vertical and Horizontal organisation charts. Appreciate the need for change in a
company structure. Create a company organisation chart using standard job roles.
Every company or organisation will have a defined organisational structure to help
them achieve their objectives. The shape and function of each structure will vary to
suit the needs of the company but many will follow a regular pattern or shape. Here
we will look at various structures and discuss the advantages and disadvantages of
each.
Human Resource Management
Session Aims: Understand the role of Human Resources within a company structure.
Session objectives: Identify motivators for employees. Understand the effective use
of an appraisal system. The role of trade unions and industrial relations.
Human resources is a function of a company that was originally set up to help
employees to become more effective in terms of their performance. To achieve this
the HR department takes on a number of tasks such as payroll and employee
benefits. These benefits will include recruitment, staff training and development and
an appraisal system. Dealing with Trade Unions or Industrial Relations as it is often
called is another function of Human Resources.
Managing Recruitment
Session Aims: Explore the process of recruiting new employees.
Session objectives: Understand the selection process. Explore the interview process.
The role of management in the recruitment and induction process for new
employees.
Another important role in Human Resource Management is staffing and recruitment.
Advertising a role is fairly easy, selecting the right person for a selected position is
the tricky bit.
Risk Management
Session Aims: Identify risks to the business and the company.
Session objectives: Highlight case studies of risk management. Explore the effects of
good and bad risk management. Suggest methods for reducing levels of risk within a
business.
To control a construction project or a company effectively there must be a clear idea
of the way forward. Many companies will have a detailed strategic planning process
in place that allows them to identify their goals and set key targets for moving the
company or project forwards. So if this is a straight forward process why do
companies and projects often fail to hit their key targets? Here we will look at the
control measures used and then look at the consequences of getting it wrong.