What is Order Principle?
The order principle of management states that there should be a right place for everything in the organization, whether materials or people.
This principle’s main theme is “a proper place for everything, and everything should be in the proper place.”
Maintaining proper order of every organization’s elements is essential for smooth and effective functioning in the workplace. It further reduces the time and waste of resources.
Just think when the right employee is in the right place and the right things are in the right place the work can be done with no time and with great efficiency. This principle aims to ensure this.
Fayol viewed the order principle in two categories. They are:
Material Order – Material order means keeping all the material things like machines and other physical things in the proper place.
The organization should maintain proper material order. It helps us to easily locate & find things and saves effort & time and increases working efficiency.
Social Order – Social order is related to placing people i.e. employees in the organization. Its core concept is that the right man should be in the right place i.e. position.
All the human resources of the organization should have a proper place.
It describes the given position should match with employees’ interests, skills, and capabilities. When it is ensured greater productivity is achieved.
Thus this principle describes that the manager should maintain the right place for all the components of the organization.
It further enables managers to effectively utilization of resources.
Advantages of Principle of Order in Management
With the principle of order, organizations can enjoy several benefits:
Effective Utilization of Resources
The principle of order ensures that resources, whether human, financial, or physical, are organized and utilized optimally.
Establishing a proper system eliminates waste and maximizes productivity, ensuring that all resources are directed toward achieving organizational goals efficiently.
Maintains the Right Place for Everything
The order involves organizing tools, materials, and personnel in a structured way, ensuring that everything has a designated place.
This reduces clutter, confusion, and the time spent searching for resources, contributing to a more efficient and organized work environment.
Smooth Functioning and Increased Productivity
When systems are in place, work flows smoothly.
The principle of order reduces disruptions and enhances coordination, leading to a more streamlined work process.
This results in improved productivity and smoother operations within the organization.
Saves Time, Effort, and Resources
A well-organized workplace minimizes the time spent on redundant tasks, such as locating resources or correcting errors caused by disorganization.
This saves effort and resources, making operations more cost-effective and time-efficient, which ultimately benefits the organization’s bottom line.
Read More: Discipline Principle
Motivates Employees
An orderly work environment fosters a sense of professionalism and respect, which motivates employees to take pride in their workspace.
When employees see that their organization is structured and well-maintained, they are more likely to feel motivated and engaged in their work.
Better Work Control and Efficiency
Order allows managers to have better control over processes and operations.
Clear organization of tasks and responsibilities helps managers track progress more easily, identify bottlenecks, and maintain a high level of efficiency in completing work.
Results of Avoiding Order Principle
Avoiding the order principle disrupts organizational performance in many ways:
Reduced Work Efficiency
When employees and resources are not organized or placed correctly, it leads to confusion, inefficiencies, and delays, ultimately hindering the smooth execution of tasks.
Read More: Unity of Direction Principle
Role Conflicts
Lack of order creates ambiguity in job roles and responsibilities.
This can lead to misunderstandings or overlap in tasks, causing conflicts between employees over who is responsible for what.
Increased Time, Effort, and Resources
Disorganization requires more time and effort to find resources, complete tasks, or resolve issues.
This waste of time and resources could have been better spent on productive activities.
Work Delays
Without a clear structure, tasks may not be completed on time due to confusion, inefficiencies, or lack of proper coordination, which results in delays.
Decreased Employee Motivation
A disorganized environment creates frustration and dissatisfaction among employees, leading to lower motivation and engagement in their work.
Read Next: Scalar Principle
Joshep Mahesh holds Bachelor in Management (BiM) Degree. He loves to share his business knowledge in his free time.