The functional approach proposes to consider any object or phenomenon in terms of its functions. It helps to “see at the root”, without being distracted by irrelevant details and rationally use the available resources.
What is a function
There are many definitions of the term "function". Consider some of them:
- A property of some system that defines it and appears before the argument. (For example, a tree bends because the wind blows, not the wind blows because the tree bends.)
- The role given to various structures and processes in maintaining the integrity of the system of which they are part.
- External manifestation of the properties of objects.
- Activity or duty, work (for example, organs of the body).
- A set of operations through which activities are carried out. (The mind is a function (according to Kant), that is, it works through the operations of cognition and action).
- Comparison of elements of a certain class, the ratio of two quantities (x and y in mathematics).
- "Existence conceivable in action" (Goethe).
Each function definition is reflected in one of the approaches to the method of the same name. Therefore, different sciences interpret the definition of the functional approach in their own way.
Functional method in science
The functional approach is complex, relatively simple and clear, which is why it is used in various disciplines:
- In biology. With its help, the theory of organismic set is constructed. Another example is the theory of higher nervous activity by I. P. Pavlov and other theories describing the functional systems of the body.
- In sociology. This approach is one of the fundamental ones and in one way or another is present in every concept. Highlighting the elements of social interaction that are being studied, sociologists consider their meanings (functions) through the prism of various approaches.
- In cybernetics. The theoretical basis of cybernetics - the theory of automata - is built precisely on the basis of the functional approach. Any device is considered as a black box, the contents of which are unknown, it is revealed in the process of studying the tasks and functions that it solves.
- In linguistics. The functional-semantic approach to learning languages involves learning new words through concepts (functions).
- In the economy. K. Marx and F. Engels pointed to the functional essence of social and economic processes, considering commodity relations through a set of functions.
The main feature of the functional approach in various sciences is the orientation towards externalmanifestations. The essence of the process or phenomenon is not taken into account.
Management approach
The functional approach is very common in management. Therefore, it makes sense to dwell in more detail on this particular variant of its use. It is very convenient to use, since almost all enterprises in the country have a clear management structure.
A little about management approaches
Management methodology implies the existence of goals, laws, principles, methods and functions, as well as technologies and management practices. More than a dozen approaches to production management stand out:
- Administrative. It consists in the regulation of duties and rights, standards, costs, etc.
- Reproductive. Focused on customer satisfaction through continuous resumption of production of goods or services at minimal cost.
- Dynamic. Considers the control object through the prism of its retrospective and prospective analysis
- Integration. It aims to strengthen the relationship between the elements of the management system.
- Quantitative. It involves the transition from qualitative to quantitative assessments using engineering and mathematical calculations, expert assessments, etc.
- Complex. Considers it necessary to take into account the technical, environmental, economic, social, economic, political and other aspects of management.
- Marketing. Provides orientation to the needs of the consumer when solvingany task.
- Normative. Sets control standards for all subsystems.
- Behavioral. Aimed at assisting employees in understanding their capabilities, which increases the efficiency of the organization by realizing their own value by each employee.
- Process. Considers management functions as a management process in which all elements are interconnected.
- System. Assumes that any control system is a set of interrelated elements.
- Situational. Says that management methods may change depending on the situation.
- Functional. The essence of the functional method lies in the approach to the control object as a set of works that it performs.
Comparison of functional and process approaches
Such approaches to management as functional and process are often compared, because they approach it from two opposite sides. The first considers it in statics, through the tasks of the organization, and the second - in dynamics, through the processes taking place in it.
Although the process approach is considered by many to be of higher quality, it is very difficult to evaluate the performance of an organization using it, as well as the evaluation of any dynamic process.
As for the evaluation through a set of functions, everything is much simpler and clearer here, everything can be literally “sorted out” and find those that are extremely necessary to implement, and those that can be neglected. The main thing is that theythe analysis was based on the goals and objectives of the company.
Application in management
We have already noted that the functional approach to management means presenting the organization's activities as a set of specifically defined tasks.
These functions are assigned to certain departments of the company. To implement certain management tasks, it is required to create a proven mechanism for the implementation of the work assigned to each unit.
It turns out that the functional approach to the management system is a delegation of authority through tasks that certain departments of the organization are required to perform (for example, in the education system these are departments, institutes, faculties, and in a business company these are departments for production, logistics, personnel, etc.). Each department is headed by a functional manager who is responsible for the work of the entire department.
Functions can be divided into sub-functions, then several departments appear in the department that deal with their implementation. Thus, the organization will be a branched system of units that perform their clearly defined tasks (respectively, management is implemented using a system-functional approach).
Benefits
This approach is often used in management due to its few but significant advantages.
The advantages of the functional approach are:
- maintaining the principle of unity of command;
- clear working conditions;
- stability and transparency.
Flaws
The functional approach is often criticized because it has many disadvantages, including:
- the focus of divisions on achieving internal goals, not the overall goal of the company;
- unhe althy competition between divisions;
- long decision making due to complex and extensive structure;
- poor adaptability to change;
- Low flexibility and adaptability to changing situations.
This is interesting
Finally, I would like to give examples of unexpected use of the functional method and share some interesting facts about it:
- A functional approach to design involves the use of comfortable, not just beautiful furniture or other interior items. The main motto of modern interior designers is becoming this: "Beauty and convenience in one bottle."
- The functional approach to education, on the contrary, has a negative assessment, because it involves formal work with pupils: an unsystematic pursuit of the number of areas covered, endless edification and verbal influence, the passive attitude of pupils and the formal assimilation of morality and morality, the lack of in their minds the connections between behavior and awareness.
- Application of the method in cooking means using only those products that are good for he alth and inthe same time can be used in a variety of ways. (The first place in terms of functionality is occupied by milk, because it can be consumed both in a “raw” form and in the form of dairy products (cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, etc.), and cook soups, pastries and many other dishes from it).
- The functional approach is actively used by some fitness trainers. They offer training only for those muscle groups that their clients will need in life: dragging heavy bags, carrying a child, washing floors, jumping over puddles, climbing stairs, etc. A trained body adapts to stress faster.
The functional approach is by no means a "long forgotten past". It is successfully used in modern science and is invisibly present in our daily life.
