Coordination: Need, Principles, Techniques and Coordination in Practice
Table of Contents
Overview
In any organisation, work is divided into departments—production, marketing, finance, HR, etc. Division of work increases efficiency, but it also creates a big problem: different departments may move in different directions. The function that integrates and harmonises efforts so everyone works towards the same goals is coordination.
You can think of coordination like the “glue” of management:
- Planning sets goals
- Organising creates structure
- Staffing provides people
- Directing motivates and guides
- Coordination integrates all activities
- Controlling ensures everything is on track
Learning objectives
After studying this topic, you should be able to:
- Define coordination and explain its features.
- Write points on need/importance of coordination.
- Explain why coordination is the essence of management.
- List principles of effective coordination.
- Explain techniques of coordination with examples.
- Differentiate coordination and cooperation.
- Identify common coordination problems and remedies.
Key terms
- Coordination: integration of efforts of individuals and departments to achieve common goals.
- Unity of action: all parts work together without conflict or duplication.
- Integration: combining activities for a common purpose.
- Interdependence: departments depend on each other (marketing depends on production; production depends on finance).
- Cooperation: willingness to work together; coordination is the managerial process that organises cooperation.
Meaning of coordination
Coordination means arranging and synchronising activities so that the organisation achieves objectives efficiently. It ensures:
- right work at right time
- correct sequence of tasks
- minimum duplication and conflict
Example: If marketing promises delivery in 3 days but production capacity allows 7 days, the company faces customer complaints. Coordination aligns marketing commitments with production capacity and logistics.
Need and importance of coordination
Coordination is needed because:
- Division of labour creates different tasks and departments.
- Interdependence makes one department’s output another’s input.
- Specialisation increases complexity and requires integration.
- Large organisations have many people and layers, increasing chances of miscommunication.
Importance (exam points)
- Avoids duplication and wastage.
- Prevents conflicts and promotes harmony.
- Ensures timely completion and smooth flow of work.
- Improves utilisation of resources.
- Helps achieve organisational goals efficiently.
Features/characteristics of coordination
- Continuous process: required at all times, not once.
- Pervasive: needed in all functions and at all levels.
- Integrative function: unifies efforts of different units.
- Purposeful: aimed at goal achievement.
- Dynamic: changes with environment, plans and people.
Coordination as essence of management
Coordination is called the essence because it is present in every function:
- In planning: coordinating objectives across departments.
- In organising: coordinating authority and responsibility relationships.
- In staffing: coordinating people placement and training.
- In directing: coordinating leadership, motivation and communication.
- In controlling: coordinating standards and corrective actions.
So, coordination is not a separate function only; it is a common thread running through all functions.
Principles of effective coordination
Write these principles with brief explanations:
- Direct contact: encourage direct communication between people who work together.
- Early start: coordination should start from planning stage.
- Continuity: continuous follow-up, not one-time meeting.
- Reciprocal relationship: recognise interdependence; decisions in one area affect others.
- Clear goals: coordination improves when objectives are clear.
- Effective communication: timely, clear, two-way communication with feedback.
- Unity of command and direction: reduces conflicting orders and aligns plans.
Techniques/methods of coordination
Managers use many methods:
- Effective communication systems: reports, meetings, MIS.
- Leadership and supervision: leaders align efforts and resolve conflicts.
- Coordination through plans and policies: common plans guide departments.
- Committees and cross-functional teams: bring departments together.
- Standardisation: standard procedures, formats and schedules reduce confusion.
- Training and teamwork: build cooperation and understanding.
- Budgeting: allocates resources and aligns departmental plans.
Coordination vs cooperation (difference)
Both are needed: cooperation provides willingness, coordination provides organised direction.
Problems in coordination and remedies
Common problems:
- unclear objectives and priorities
- departmental ego/silos
- poor communication and delays
- conflicting orders (unity of command not followed)
- inadequate planning and unrealistic promises
Remedies:
- clear objectives and role clarity
- strengthen communication channels + feedback
- encourage teamwork and cross-functional meetings
- strong leadership and conflict resolution
- use common budgets and performance measures aligned to company goals
Practical examples (coordination in business)
- Sales–Production: sales forecast → production schedule → inventory plan.
- Purchase–Finance: purchase orders aligned with cash budget and credit terms.
- HR–Operations: hiring and training aligned with production expansion.
- Customer service–Logistics: delivery promises aligned with route and capacity.
Quick recap (1-minute revision)
- Coordination integrates activities for unity of action.
- Needed due to division of labour, interdependence and complexity.
- Features: continuous, pervasive, integrative, dynamic.
- Essence of management: present in planning, organising, staffing, directing and controlling.
- Principles: direct contact, early start, continuity, clear goals, effective communication.
- Techniques: communication systems, meetings/committees, plans/policies, standardisation, cross-functional teams.
- Coordination vs cooperation: process vs attitude.
