Unity of Direction: Principle of Management
The principle of unity of direction means One Head and One Plan, a group of employees having a common goal should be directed to achieve one goal by a single manager.
There must be one plan for common work and one in charge to coordinate all the members of the unit. This management principle is effective to bring uniformity and coordination among the employees. The collective work of a group promotes effectiveness, reduces duplication in tasks, and also does the task within time by reducing wastage.
It is common that, an organization has different departments and different groups of employees. Separate groups have separate goals that are for what they are formed. It is the duty of the manager to identify such groups and their common objectives, combine them into one unit, make a plan that best fits their objective, and direct them towards achievement.
The principle of unity of direction is essential to maintain unity in action or operation in the workplace. It helps to best utilize the effort of a group and achieve the objectives most efficiently.
Most of us are confused between the principle of Unity of Command and Unity of Direction. They are different, Unity of Command means receiving a command from a single boss at a time whereas unity of direction means a manager has to direct employees having the same goal making one unit in better way.
Positive of this Principle:
- Efficient completion of tasks and achievement of organizational goals.
- Better coordination in the organization.
- The systematic working environment in the organization.
- Minimization of duplication of work.
- Effective utilization of group effort.
- Organizational productivity is achieved.
- Better functioning of the organization.
- The clear role, no role conflict.
Consequences of violating this principle:
- Conflicts among the employees.
- Poor coordination.
- Organizational efficiency is decreased.
- Difficulty in the achievement of organizational goals.
- Poor relation between the head and the employees.
- Wastages of time, effort, and resources.