Managers are often seen as the people who “keep things going.” But what does that really mean day to day? Their role goes far beyond ticking off tasks. A good manager is like the conductor of an orchestra—bringing everything together so the performance (or project) runs smoothly. Let’s break it down into three key responsibilities: planning, coordinating, and controlling.
Planning: Looking Ahead with Purpose
Planning is where it all begins. A manager needs to set clear goals, figure out what needs to be done, and decide how and when it should happen. This isn’t just about timelines—it’s about understanding the bigger picture and anticipating problems before they occur.
Example: Imagine a manager in charge of launching a new product. They’ll need to plan each stage—research, design, marketing, production—and decide who’s doing what. They’ll also need to set deadlines, budgets and quality standards.
Good planning means being organised, but also flexible. Sometimes things change, and a manager needs to adjust the plan while keeping everyone on track.
Coordinating: Bringing People Together
Once there’s a plan, the next job is to coordinate the team. This means making sure everyone knows their role, that the right resources are available, and that people are working together effectively. Coordination is all about communication, teamwork and timing.
Example: If the design team finishes early but marketing isn’t ready, things can stall. A great manager spots these timing issues and helps the teams stay in sync—maybe by setting up regular check-ins or adjusting workloads to keep momentum going.
It’s also about bringing the best out of people—not just making sure the job gets done, but that it gets done well, with everyone feeling part of something worthwhile.
Controlling: Staying on Course
Controlling might sound a bit bossy, but it’s really about monitoring progress. A manager needs to keep an eye on how things are going—checking quality, budget, timelines, and team performance. If something slips off course, they step in and steer it back.
Example: Let’s say a project is running over budget. A manager might review spending, cut unnecessary costs, or shift resources to balance things out. Or if a team member is struggling, they might offer extra support or training to help them catch up.
Controlling isn’t about catching people out—it’s about supporting success and spotting issues early enough to fix them.
In short, a manager’s role in planning, coordinating and controlling is what keeps everything moving. They set the direction, bring people together, and make sure the wheels stay turning. Done well, this creates a positive, productive environment where everyone can do their best work.
This post assists completion of the following criteria:
302 ML15 3.1 Analyse a Managers responsibilities for planning, coordinating and controlling work