The functional approach offers to consider any object or phenomenon in terms of its functions. It helps to “mature”, without being distracted by irrelevant details and rationally use the available resources.
What is a function?
There are many definitions of the term “function”. Let's consider some of them:
- A property of a system that defines it and appears before an argument. (For example, a tree bends because the wind blows, and not the wind blows because the tree bends).
- The role assigned to various structures and processes to maintain the integrity of the system of which they are a part.
- External manifestation of the properties of objects.
- Activity or obligation, work (for example, organs of the body).
- The set of operations with which the activity is 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 definition of a function is reflected in one of the approaches to the method of the same name. Therefore, different sciences interpret the definition of a functional approach in their own way.
Functional Method in Science
The functional approach is complex, relative simplicity and understandability, which is why it is used in various disciplines:
- In biology. With its help, the theory of the organismic set was built. Another example is the theory of higher nervous activity by I.P. Pavlov and other theories that describe the functional systems of the body.
- In sociology. This approach is one of the fundamental and in one way or another is present in each concept. Highlighting the elements of social interaction that are 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 a 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. Functional-semantic approach in the study of languages involves the study of new words through concepts (functions).
- In economics. The functional essence of social and economic processes was pointed out by K. Marx and F. Engels, considering commodity relations through a set of functions.
The main feature of the functional approach in various sciences is orientation to external manifestations. The essence of the process or phenomenon is not taken into account.
Management approach
A functional approach is very common in management. Therefore, it makes sense to dwell in more detail on this particular use case. It is very convenient to use, since almost all enterprises in the country have a clear management structure.
A bit about management approaches
Management methodology assumes the existence of goals, laws, principles, methods and functions, as well as management technologies and practices. More than a dozen approaches to production management are highlighted:
- Administrative. It consists in the regulation of duties and rights, standards, costs, etc.
- Reproductive. It is focused on satisfying consumer needs through the constant resumption of production of goods or services with minimal costs.
- Dynamic. Considers the control object through the prism of a retrospective and perspective analysis of it
- Integration. It aims to strengthen the relationship between the elements of the control system.
- Quantitative. It implies a transition from qualitative to quantitative estimates using engineering and mathematical calculations, expert estimates, etc.
- Complex. He considers it necessary to take into account technical, environmental, economic, social, economic, political and other aspects of management.
- Marketing. It provides orientation to consumer requests in solving any problem.
- Normative. Establishes management standards for all subsystems.
- Behavioral. It is aimed at assisting employees in recognizing their capabilities, which increases the effectiveness of the organization by recognizing their own value by each employee.
- Process. Considers the functions of management as a management process in which all elements are interconnected.
- Systemic It assumes that any control system is a set of interconnected elements.
- Situational. It says that management methods may vary depending on the situation.
- Functional. The essence of the functional method is to approach the control object as a set of works that it performs.
Comparison of functional and process approaches
Such management approaches, 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 many consider the process approach to be better, the assessment of the organization’s activity with its help is very complex, as is the assessment of any dynamic process.
As for the assessment through a set of functions, everything is much simpler and more understandable here, everything can be literally “put on the shelves” and you can find those whose implementation is absolutely necessary, and those that can be neglected. The main thing is that their analysis is based on the goals and objectives of the company.
Management Application
We have already noted that a functional approach to management means representing the organization’s activities in the form of 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 a functional approach to the management system is the 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 production, logistics, personnel departments, etc. .). Each unit is headed by a functional manager, who is responsible for the work of the entire department.
Functions can be divided into subfunctions, then several departments appear in the department that are engaged in their implementation. Thus, the organization will be an extensive system of units performing their well-defined tasks (accordingly, management is implemented using a system-functional approach).
Benefits
The considered approach is often used in management due to its few, but significant advantages.
The advantages of a functional approach are:
- maintaining the principle of unity of command;
- clear working conditions;
- stability and transparency.
disadvantages
The functional approach is often criticized, because it has many shortcomings, among which:
- the focus of units on achieving internal goals, rather than the overall goal of the company;
- unhealthy competition between units;
- long-term decision making due to the complex and extensive structure;
- poor adaptability to change;
- low flexibility and adaptability to changing situations.
It is interesting
In the end, I would like to give examples of the unexpected use of the functional method and share some interesting facts about it:
- A functional approach in design involves the use of comfortable, and not just beautiful furniture or other interior items. The main motto of modern interior designers is: "Beauty and convenience in one bottle."
- The functional approach to education, on the contrary, has a negative assessment, because it involves formal work with the pupils: an unsystematic pursuit of the number of directions covered, endless edification and verbal influence, passive attitude of the pupils and the formal assimilation of moral and ethical standards, the absence of a connection between behavior in their heads and his awareness.
- The use of the method in cooking means the use of only those products that are healthy and at the same time can be used in a variety of forms. (The first place in functionality is occupied by milk, because it is possible to use it both in a "raw" form and in the form of dairy products (cheese, cottage cheese, sour cream, kefir, etc.), and prepare soups, pastries, and many other dishes from it )
- A functional approach is actively used by some fitness trainers. They offer training only for those muscle groups that are useful to their clients in life: drag heavy bags, carry on their hands, wash floors, jump over puddles, climb stairs, etc. The trained body quickly adapts to loads.
A functional approach is by no means a "long forgotten past." It is successfully used in modern science and is invisibly present in our everyday life.