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Unit 10: Staffing and Coordination

10.10 Techniques of Coordination Notes

The following are the important techniques of co-ordination which are widely used by modern
management:

1. Co-ordination by common purpose: The oldest as well as the most important device for
achieving co-ordination is the supervisor. The main duty of a supervisor is to see that his
subordinates are working in an efficient manner. He directs them, commands them and
controls their efforts. According to Webber, by commanding, managers and supervisors
can co-ordinate the efforts of their instructions and by direction and motivation they can
co-ordinate their efforts. If the span of management is limited, this technique will be very
effective in comparison to others.
In the words of L.A. Allen, "A manager, in managing, must co-ordinate the work for which
he is accountable, by balancing, timing and integrating it."
2. Co-ordination through managerial functions: Of the different phases of managerial
functions, some aspects like communication, leadership and authority delegation also
have unique contribution towards co-ordination. Effective communication is basic to
proper co-ordination. Communication of information is necessary both for making
adjustments in plans and for preparing programmes for future.
(a) Planning is necessary to ensure proper utilization of human & non-human resources.
In this pursuit, it brings about coordination in the organization.
(b) Organizing relates to determining & providing human and non-human resources to
the organizational structure. For this, coordination is needed.

(c) Staffing involves manning the organization structure through proper and effective
selection, appraisal & development of personnel to fill the roles designed in the
structure. Effective staffing involves coordinating these sub-functions effectively.

(d) Direction is that inert-personnel aspect of management which deals directly with
influencing, guiding, supervising, motivating sub-ordinate for the achievement of
organizational goals, one of which is coordination.
(e) Controlling is the measurement & correction of performance activities of subordinates
in order to make sure that the enterprise objectives and plans desired to obtain them
as being accomplished. Effective controlling paves way for effective coordination.
3. Co-ordination by simplified organisation: Organisation is a very important device for
achieving co-ordination. In the modern large-scale organisations, there is tendency towards
over-specialisation. It leads to bureaucracy and division in different departments. So,
some benefits of specialisation should be sacrificed and such an organisational structure
should be developed in which the authority and functions of several departments will be
clearly defined but interacting. Re-arrangement of departments may also be considered to
bring about a greater harmony among the various wings of the organisation.
4. Harmonised programmes and policies: Excellent opportunities for co-ordination are
provided by the process of planning. The plans prepared by different individuals and
departments should be checked up for consistency. The management must ensure that all
plans add up to the unified programme.
5. Co-ordination by group meetings: Group meetings are also effective for achieving a high
quality of co-ordination. Such meetings bring the officials together and provide
opportunities for co-ordination.

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