What is the management function of setting goals, policies, and procedures called?

Setting goals, policies, and procedures is fundamentally part of the planning management function. This process involves determining both the short-term and long-term objectives of an organization and outlining the strategies necessary to achieve them. Planning sets the direction for the entire organization by establishing what needs to be accomplished and how resources will be allocated to meet those objectives.

In addition, planning includes identifying potential challenges and devising actions to mitigate those risks, ensuring that all parts of the organization align with the overarching goals. This proactive approach lays the groundwork for the subsequent functions of management, such as organizing resources effectively, directing staff towards fulfilling the objectives, and controlling operations to ensure they align with the plan.

The other management functions such as controlling, organizing, and directing, play crucial roles in executing the established plan but do not involve the initial task of goal-setting and procedural frameworks. Thus, they are secondary to the foundational planning process.