Directing

The third management function, referred to as directing or implementing, builds on an organization’s earlier planning and organizing activities and consequently benefits from the skillful enactment of the prior two management functions and their instrumental outcomes. As such, directing involves utilizing the organizational design and structure developed during organizing to successfully implement the strategies identified during planning activities. When managers act in the interest of accomplishing an organization’s goals at all hierarchical levels, in turn the overall strategic goals and mission of the organization are met.