According to Henri Fayol, how many main duties does a manager have?

Henri Fayol, a prominent figure in management theory, identified five primary functions that managers perform. These functions are planning, organizing, commanding, coordinating, and controlling. Fayol's framework emphasizes the comprehensive role that managers play in ensuring that an organization operates effectively and efficiently.

By breaking down management into these five essential duties, Fayol provided a structured approach to understanding managerial responsibilities. Each of these functions serves as a cornerstone in the management process—planning involves setting objectives and determining a course of action, organizing allocates resources and tasks, commanding relates to leading and motivating employees, coordinating ensures that diverse activities align towards common goals, and controlling involves monitoring and evaluating performance.

The significance of Fayol's contributions lies in their applicability across various types of organizations and their lasting influence on modern management practices. Understanding these five functions helps clarify the multifaceted nature of a manager's role in facilitating both day-to-day operations and long-term strategic goals.