Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) Certification Practice Test

Which of the following is NOT a function described by Fayol as part of management?

1. Planning

2. Organising

3. Strategizing

4. Controlling

The correct answer is: Strategizing

The correct answer is strategizing because this term is not outlined as one of the classical management functions identified by Henri Fayol. Fayol, a pioneer in management theory, defined five core functions of management: planning, organizing, commanding (leading), coordinating, and controlling. While strategizing involves elements of planning and can be a critical aspect of management, it is not specifically one of the functions he delineated. Fayol emphasized a structured approach to management centered around these foundational functions, which aim to guide managers in effectively overseeing their organizations. In this context, the other functions—planning, organizing, and controlling—are key components of Fayol's management framework. Planning involves setting objectives and determining actions to achieve them, organizing pertains to arranging resources and tasks to implement the plan effectively, and controlling involves measuring progress against the plan and making necessary adjustments. These answers are rooted in Fayol's established principles and widely recognized in contemporary management theory.